'Stable' Karnan refuses to undergo medical tests

Calcutta High Court Justice CS Karnan on Thursday refused to be examined by the team of doctors who had visited his residence in Kolkata's New Town to execute the Supreme Court order of carrying out a medical test to examine his mental condition.

Dr Ganesh Prasad, Superintendent, Calcutta Pavlov Hospital, along with two male psychiatrists and a female psychologist visited Karnan's residence at 11.50 am on Thursday, along with 20 police officers of Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate.

On May 1, the SC ordered that a medical examination be conducted on Justice Karnan on May 4 to confirm whether he is "feigning mental imbalance." It also instructed the West Bengal DGP to deploy police personnel for the purpose.

"You are well aware of the medical norms. If a psychiatric patient is presented before you, his or her guardian should be present. Is my guardian present?" Justice Karnan asked Dr Prasad and then added, "My wife is a professor. My sons are engineers. I am absolutely normal with a stable mind. I do not require medical treatment. Please do not insist for an exam against my wish. Why don't you have a cup of tea?"

He also alleged that the seven SC judges had "misused their judicial power". Justice Karnan went so far as to call the seven SC judges, who had filed suo motu contempt charges against him, as 'terrorists'.