New Delhi, Nov 6 Observing that independence of the judiciary is not a matter of “political convenience”, the Supreme Court on Friday issued a contempt notice to all office bearers of the Keralam unit of the Congress over a social media post targeting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
A bench of justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M Pancholi said the Constitution is supreme and no individual or political organisation stands above it.
“Judgements are always open to criticism. Freedom of expression can’t be a shield of intimidation to interfere with the administration of justice. Howsoever high position a person occupies, any attempt to undermine the authority of the court needs to be dealt with an iron hand.
“Authority of the court doesn’t require political endorsement; it rests on the rule of law. Where administration of justice is established, the law must take its course,” the bench said.
Independence of judiciary is not a matter of political convenience, the court said, adding that judicial restraint must never be mistaken for institutional weakness.
During the hearing, the lawyer appearing for the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) submitted that the material was uploaded without the office-bearers’ approval, and was removed.
He told the court that an unconditional apology has also been issued.
Justice Kumar observed that the court would examine “whether it has come from the pen or heart”.
The top court also said that it will appoint senior advocates Arvind Datar and Siddharth Agarwal as amicus curiae in the matter to examine whether criminal or civil contempt apply in the matter and also sought Attorney General R Venkataramani’s assistance in the matter.
A post against the CJI from the official X account of the Keralam unit of Congress went viral on October 12, drawing sharp criticism on social media, before it was deleted. The party subsequently said it has removed the person responsible.
A complaint addressed to the CJI by advocate Vineet Jindal on October 13 was registered as a writ petition on October 30.
The complaint also sought directions to authorities to ascertain whether a political demonstration and slogan-shouting held on the Supreme Court premises on the evening of October 12, 2026, involving Rahul Gandhi and other political leaders, took place without authorisation or caused any obstruction to the movement of advocates, litigants, judicial officers or court staff.
In a statement, KPCC president Sunny Joseph had earlier said the person responsible for posting the controversial message had been removed from the charge.
Joseph said the post was made without the knowledge, consent or consultation of the KPCC leadership.
He clarified that the Congress had no disagreement with regard to the impartiality of the judiciary.
(PTI News)
