In Brief

Justice C.S. Karnan, a judge of the Madras High Court, made repeated, unsubstantiated allegations of corruption and caste discrimination against numerous judges through letters and orders. After a Supreme Court contempt notice was issued, he continued making defamatory statements and passed purported judicial orders against the bench members themselves. A seven-judge Constitutional Bench convicted him of gross criminal contempt, finding that his claims lacked material support and were designed to damage judicial credibility. The Court held that judicial identity is irrelevant to justice administration and that invoking caste discrimination cannot shield malicious allegations from accountability. Justice Karnan was sentenced to six months imprisonment.

The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.