SC Rejects Justice CS Karnan’s Bail Plea

A two Judge Bench of Supreme Court of India on Wednesday has rejected the former Calcutta High Court Judge Justice CS Karnan’s application for bail and suspension of sentence.

Justice CS Karnan was arrested from a guest house in Coimbatore, by West Bengal police on Tuesday.

A Seven Judge Bench of Supreme Court had found him guilty and sentenced to 6 months in jail for contempt by an order dated 9^th May. He had been evading arrest since May 9. He retired on June 12, and became the first High Court Judge to have retired while absconding.

The Seven Judge Bench in its order said, “On merits, we are of the considered view, that Sri Justice C.S. Karnan, has committed contempt of the judiciary. His actions constitute contempt of this Court, and of the judiciary of the gravest nature. Having found him guilty of committing contempt, we convict him accordingly. We are satisfied to punish him by sentencing him to imprisonment for six months. As a consequence, the contemnor shall not perform any administrative or judicial functions,” the 7 judge bench headed by Chief Justice J.S. Khehar had then observed.