On Thursday, Justice Karnan of the Calcutta High Court refused to undergo medical examination as per a Supreme Court mandate, which was issued to check his mental fitness. CNN-News18 reported that the judge had called this apex court order a “mad order” issued by “mad judges”.
Earlier, Karnan had levelled allegations of mental harassment against the seven-judge panel headed by the Chief Justice of India JS Khehar. He stated that he was being forced to undergo medical examination due to his efforts to reveal the rot within.
The disgraced judge had also ridiculed the Supreme Court's order for a four-member medical team to examine him.
One doctor is enough for treatment [sic] why did they send four doctors? Probably one to hold each of my limbs.
According to the order, a medical report is to be submitted by 8 May, and Karnan’s next hearing is to be on 18 May.
Justice Karnan was stripped of judicial and administrative work on 8 February. The CJI noted that in spite of this order, he continued to pass judicial mandates, thereby breaching the earlier Supreme Court order.
He had in January named 20 “corrupt judges”, seeking a probe against them to curb “high corruption” in the Indian judiciary. The letter resulted in contempt proceedings against him.
After the alleged open contemptuous letters against the Madras HC Chief Justice, addressed to the CJI, Prime Minister and others, the court had initiated proceedings against him.
The apex court had on 8 February asked Justice Karnan to appear in person and explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him. However, he failed to appear before the apex court on multiple occasions.
(With inputs from PTI)
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