Justice Karnan May Be `Mad’, But Supreme Court Should Hear Him

The Supreme Court today ordered the arrest and jailing of Justice Karnan of Calcutta High Court for six months. Justice Karnan may be `mad’, but the court should listen to mad men too.

In an unprecedented move, the Supreme Court on Tuesday sentenced that Calcutta HC judge CS Karnan be arrested immediately and jailed for six months. All this because he has been found guilty of contempt of court and sentenced him.

The media has been banned from publishing any reaction or comments from the accused judge.

“If we don’t send Justice Karnan to jail then there will be a blemish that the Supreme Court condoned contempt by a judge,” a 7-judge bench headed by CJI J S Khehar said.

But, to put a stamp of fairness, the Supreme Court should give Justice Karnan a chance to defend himself. He has of course refused to appear before the Supreme Court bench, but the court could order arrest and body presence of Justice Karnan.

Also Read: Lalu Prasad – The Corrupt Joker in Political Pack

To be heard is central to the principles of natural justice. This criteria should be fulfilled in letter and spirit, no matter what the mental condition of Justice Karnan is.

The court could also have sent a commission to hear Justice Karnan.

Today’s order of the Supreme Court could be used as a precedent to jail uncomfortable opponents in future. This could be dangerous.

Justice Karnan should be given ample and more opportunities to exhaust all his legal remedies guaranteed by the Constitution and the law. The court should go out of its way to allow Justice Karnan to present his side of the story – right or wrong.

Already, the faith in judiciary is fast eroding. The Justice Karnan verdict hopefully will not be a part of this unfortunate erosion.

Today’s order is unprecedented. This is for the first time that a sitting High Court judge would be arrested and jailed.

Taking a strong note of Justice Karnan’s remarks, the Supreme Court said, “Contempt power does not recognise who is what – a judge or a common man.”

Also Read: CBI Tough Stand in Babri Masjid Case To Silence Anti-Modi Forces?

The top court also banned media from publishing the content of orders passed by Justice Karnan.

The order comes after Justice Karnan made series of controversial remarks against the top court judges.

Justice Karnan’s remark comes after contempt proceedings were initiated against him by the CJI-led bench after he continuously levelled corruption allegations against the Madras high court chief justice and other judges.

Karnan, who is set to retire in June, was stripped of his judicial and administrative powers by the SC on February 8. The best option would have been to impose a ban on Justice Karnan’s `judgements’ and allow him to retire next month.

Read More Law & Order Reports:

• The Law Is Sometimes an Ass…an Idiot; Liquor Ban is Proving Just That
• Confused Pinarayi Vijayan Gets a ` Fine Slap’ From Supreme Court For Making Mockery of Justice
• Ram Mandir in Ayodhya: Supreme Court For Mediation, Govt Says Okay
• Supreme Court dismisses Sasikala Pushpa Petion

You May Like To Read: 

1. A Glow Stick That Detects Cancer
2. Stealth Strikes Are the Best Option Before India At Pakistan Border
3. VIP or EPI? The Common Man is Still CHI (Constantly Harassed Indian)
4. Shanto Mitra: Great Defender and A No-Nonsense Gentleman
5. Rs 1,000 Crore Stolen By Global Cyber Thieves, But Govt Gets it Back
6. Keralite Harvests Miracle Paddy Crop in Desert Sands of UAE
7. Bahubali 2 The Conclusion Lives Beyond Its Expectations
8. UDAN Is Good on Paper to Fly, May Not Benefit Common Man
9. Kamaal R Khan Insults Mohanlal, Calls Him a Joker and Chota Bheem
10. Vidya Balan’s ‘Begum’ no ‘Jaan’ Anymore?