Supreme Court issues contempt notice to KPCC over post targeting CJI Surya Kant

The Supreme Court on Friday issued a contempt notice to office bearers of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) over a social media post targeting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The court said the authority and independence of the judiciary cannot be undermined by any political organisation or institution.

A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M Pancholi took up the matter and stressed that the Constitution remains supreme, with no individual or organisation above it.

"The Constitution is supreme. No individual, no institution or political organisation stands above it. The independence of the judiciary is not a matter of political convenience. It is a constitutional guarantee owed to the Republic, to the people of this Republic," the court said in its order, according to Bar and Bench.

The bench further warned that attempts to "undermine the authority of the court is required to be dealt with an iron hand."

SC seeks assistance to examine contempt charges

The Supreme Court appointed a senior advocate as amicus curiae to examine whether the matter attracts criminal or civil contempt. It also sought assistance from Attorney General R Venkataramani.

The proceedings stem from a KPCC post criticising CJI Surya Kant over a remark made during a hearing on petitions seeking an investigation into alleged excesses by Delhi Police during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests in the national capital.

Congress deleted post, issued apology

The post triggered a backlash, following which the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association (SCOARA) condemned the demand for the Chief Justice's resignation.

The KPCC subsequently deleted the post and its leaders issued an apology. The party also said that the person responsible for publishing the controversial post had been removed.

The Supreme Court's latest notice puts the focus on the limits of political criticism involving the judiciary and the legal consequences that may follow when the authority of the court is questioned.