Justice Karnan retires, but still remains a wanted man

Justice CS Karnan retired as a Calcutta High Court judge on Sunday, ending his career as a fugitive from the law who has been on the run for more than a month now.

The 62-year-old has been evading arrest since May 10, after being sentenced by the Supreme Court to six months in jail for contempt of court.

While Monday marked his 62nd birthday, he did not attend a farewell that some of his colleagues may have organised for him. He instead remained in hiding.

Justice Karnan is the first sitting judge to be held in contempt by the SC, and the first sitting judge to be awarded a six-month jail sentence. He is also the first sitting judge who has retired in hiding.

The face-off between Justice Karnan and the Supreme Court dominated the corridors of the judiciary for almost five months, before a seven-judge bench, comprising senior judges, held the unanimous view that Justice Karnan should be penalised for his actions.  

The drama surrounding Justice Karnan started in January when he wrote to the Prime Minister’s Office alleging corruption against several of the High Court and apex court judges. In response to this letter, the SC initiated proceedings for a contempt case against the judge on February 8. The courtroom proceedings, always packed to the rafters, entailed all the elements of a legal drama.