SC hints at warrant to force Justice Karnan to appear in Apex Court

NEW DELHI: In an unprecedented gesture a 7-judge bench of the Supreme Court on Monday said it may consider issuing a bailable or non-bailable arrest warrant against controversial Calcutta High Court judge CS Karnan should the latter fail to appear before the it to defend against charges of contempt of court against him.

The bench gave Karnan yet another chance to appear before the court on March 10, 2017, after he missed the hearing on Monday saying he was not given sufficient time. In a letter released to the press, Karnan said contempt proceedings should not be brought against him and the issue of his alleged misconduct, if any, should be referred to Parliament to allow him to defend himself against the charges.

Karnan claimed allegations he has levelled against a host of judges in the Madras High Court, where he was posted before his transfer to Calcutta, and judges of the top court, were true and that he could defend himself there. However, sources said that Karnan was trying to stall matters till May when he demits office.