A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking criminal contempt proceedings against Congress and other respondents over a Kerala Congress concerning Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
The petition also asks the court to frame guidelines restricting public campaigns by political parties against judges or the Chief Justice in connection with pending matters. The request places the dispute within the broader question of how political criticism involving sitting judges should be handled.
led to the petition
The application concerns a published from the official Kerala Congress account on X on 12 October. Addressing the Chief Justice, called for his resignation if law and order was not his responsibility and said an alternative could be found to handle it.
According to the petition, the wording did not respect the dignity associated with the Chief Justice's constitutional office. The petitioners allege that asking him to resign through a public amounted to an attempt to exert pressure while he remained in office.
The application further states that the Chief Justice had declined to discuss judicial matters pending before the court outside the courtroom. It alleges that the social media campaign nevertheless sought to put pressure on him.
Leaders named as respondents
The petition refers to another by Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, published on the same evening. It says she wrote that Surya Kant clearly could not do something and that “we” would do it instead.
The respondents named in the petition include the Union government, Congress, Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, Mahua Moitra and Akhilesh Yadav. The application seeks action against the relevant parties after notices are issued and they are given an opportunity to be heard.
The inclusion of these names reflects the scope of the relief sought in the petition. It does not establish that any respondent has been found guilty of criminal contempt.
Constitutional provisions cited
The petition cites Articles 121 and 124(4) of the Constitution. It argues that removal of a judge must follow the procedure laid down in the Constitution.
The petitioners contend that the call for the Chief Justice's resignation was an attempt to place him under pressure. They also argue that a political party's statement about finding his replacement does not fit within the constitutional framework governing judicial appointments.
The application additionally refers to resolutions by the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association. According to the petition, those resolutions condemned appeals seeking the Chief Justice's resignation.
The petition was filed by advocates Digant Mishra, Divyansh Bisht, Ashish Gopal Garg and Shweta Garg. Advocate-on-Record Utkarsh Jaiswal presented it on their behalf.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court petition seeks criminal contempt proceedings over the Kerala Congress and asks for safeguards against political campaigns targeting judges over pending matters. The allegations remain matters for consideration under the court process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the petition about?
It concerns a Kerala Congress about Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and seeks criminal contempt proceedings.
Q. When was the Kerala Congress published?
The petition says it was published on 12 October from the official Kerala Congress account on X.
Q. Who has been named as respondents?
The respondents include the Union government, Congress, Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, Mahua Moitra and Akhilesh Yadav.
Q. Which constitutional provisions are cited?
The petition cites Articles 121 and 124(4) of the Constitution.
Q. What additional guidelines have been requested?
The petition asks for guidelines against political campaigns targeting judges or the Chief Justice in relation to pending cases.
Q. Who filed the petition?
Advocates Digant Mishra, Divyansh Bisht, Ashish Gopal Garg and Shweta Garg filed it, with Advocate-on-Record Utkarsh Jaiswal presenting it.
