'They Keep Condemning': SC Issues Contempt Notice To Sanjay Raut, Nikhil Wagle Over Comments Against CJI

In criminal contempt proceedings, the Supreme Court on Friday sent show-cause notices to journalist Nikhil Wagle and Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut for their public comments on Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and the judiciary.

However, a bench comprising the CJI and Justice Joymalya Bagchi spared Raut and Wagle from appearing in person on the next date of hearing and stated that it would first consider their explanations.

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) filed a contempt plea that led to the issuance of the show-cause notices.
Pradeep Rai, a senior attorney and president of the SCBA, claimed that Raut and Wagle's comments went beyond reasonable criticism and had the potential to ruin public trust in the Supreme Court.

The CJI expressed concern over statements targeting the judiciary and observed that courts had always prioritised personal liberty and fundamental rights, and that attacking the institution is unfortunate.

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Although the SCBA pressed for personal appearance of the respondents, the bench decided to go with a show-cause notice first. "We are giving a show-cause as of now. Of course we are granting exemption for personal appearance. Let us see," the bench said, as cited by PTI.

Supreme Court Asks Raut For An Explanation

Meanwhile, the SC on Thursday asked Raut for an explanation for his remarks against the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and the judiciary, while considering the plea filed by INDIA bloc leaders against the Election Commission of India (ECI). Among the 13 petitioners in the plea filed by Rahul Gandhi, Raut is also a co-petitioner.

The bench comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi made it clear that it is considering the plea provisionally on Raut's behalf, provided he gives an explanation for his actions.

"In WP (C) No 1351/2026 (Item 25, filed by Gandhi), the petition on behalf of petitioner no. 6 (Raut) is entertained on a provisional basis, subject to his explaining his conduct," the bench said in its order.

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Without mentioning any name, the CJI during the hearing said that, "We will ask one of the petitioners about his conduct on the next date of hearing."

The CJI also employed forceful language when certain lawyers alleged that Gandhi and other opposition leaders, who marched to the Supreme Court on October 12, were attempting to intimidate the judiciary. "Nobody can browbeat us (judiciary)," the CJI had said, adding, "We are not sitting in ivory towers. We know what statements they are making outside and what they are saying in court. We know everything."