'Is our Judiciary so weak to defend itself and its own learned brothers?', TN Bar Council moves Madras HC for Criminal Action against Justice CS Karnan

Making a move in context of the derogatory posts by Retd. Justice CS Karnan against women and judiciary, the Tamil Nadu Bar Council has moved a criminal petition in Madras High Court seeking action against him.

The arguements were presented before Justice T Ravindran who referred matter to a Division Bench that is already dealing with a Writ Petition moved by the Council on the issue.

Senior Advocate S Prabhakaran from the TN Bar Council firmly asked the Court that has the Judiciary become weak to defend itself.

He said:

"What is this Milord? Our judiciary is it so weak that it is unable to defend itself and its own learned brothers?! That is our unfortunate plight."

He highlighted that despite the High Court's earlier order directing the removal of Karnan's offensive posts, similar posts continued to be uploaded and no action has been taken against the controversial Judge.

"Even now six posts he has made! I understand he cannot be arrested, at least the person uploading should have been taken action (against)", Prabakaranan submitted.

He further added:

"Look at the plight of the judges, they are being insulted like anything everyday post is coming, day before yesterday he has posted in Facebook", 

Making reference to the Supreme Court Order of 2017, which placed an embargo against Justice Karnan from indulging in further activities of the kind deprecated by the Court, Senior Advocate Prabhakaran mentioned how he is not abiding by the Top Court's order.

He then submitted that Government's silence to the matter is a shock for him.

"Unfortunately all the advocates are seeing it, silently keeping quiet on it and I do not know why the government is keeping quiet on this for such a long time!"

Justice T Ravindran responded that the Division Bench could hear the plea more properly, since it was already handling the matters related to the present petition.

Additional Public Prosecutor M Prabhavati submitted that an FIR had already been registered upon a complaint made by one, Advocate Devika. While the complaint was initially registered under Sections 153 and 509 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 67-A of the Information Technology Act was subsequently added, she informed. She sought time to file a written statement in this regard, but before the other Bench.