Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi advised the Bench to formally frame the criminal contempt charge against Justice Karnan.
Mr. Rohatgi, referring to the February 10 letter from Justice Karnan which invoked that the contempt proceedings violated principles of natural justice and went on to make further disparaging remarks about the judiciary, said show cause notice should now be issued to the judge on the specific charge that the letter was “calculated to lower the dignity of the judicial institution”.
To this, Justice Misra said there are two options available, “one, give him another opportunity to come and explain himself. Two, issue bailable warrant against him”.
But Chief Justice Khehar sought to tread with caution, “for the time being, we will defer the proceedings. Consequences are great. We will ask him some questions and let him respond to these questions. Then we will proceed”.
