SC refuses to hear Karnan’s new plea

New Delhi: The Supreme Court refused on Friday to consider Justice C.S. Karnan’s plea for a stay on his arrest following conviction on contempt charges.

The CJI told the Calcutta high court judge’s advocate that it was a conscious decision (to send him to jail for six months).

The CJI made the remarks while hearing the issue of triple talaq.

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to consider the plea of Calcutta high court judge Justice C.S. Karnan to stay his arrest following conviction for six months imprisonment for contempt of court.

The Supreme Court said a “conscious decision” was taken by seven of its judges to sentence Justice Karnan to six months imprisonment. “The seven judges assembled to take a conscious decision (to send him to jail). We have permitted you (yesterday) to file the petition. Whatever you want to file, you file in the Registry. We will not accept across the table,” a bench headed by Chief Justice J.S. Khehar said.

He made the statement when advocate Mathews J. Nedumpara, on behalf of Justice Karnan, mentioned the plea for recall of the May 9 order when the bench had come to the dias after lunch to hear the triple talaq matter.

However, the advocate said, “I am addressing the CJI only” and added that the plea related to suspension of sentence of Justice Karnan. He said the Contempt of Courts Act provides for tendering an apology which may be considered by the court.

The CJI shot back “why you are coming here everytime? Go and give it (original copy of petition) to the registry. You are not accepting any one-off procedure. You are only putting your ‘danda’ (stick) here. It does not work here”.

After this observation, the advocate withdrew himself as the bench resumed the post-lunch hearing on triple talaq. In his petition Justice Karnan said that the entire proceeding from February 8, when contempt notice was issued by the court, is without jurisdiction.