SC stays Justice Karnan's restraint order

New Delhi, May 11 (Lead) The Supreme Court on Monday restrained Madras High Court judge Justice C.S. Karnan from hearing a case relating to the appointment of Tamil Nadu junior judicial officers.

The apex court bench, headed by Chief Justice H.L. Dattu, also stayed the interim order by which Justice Karnan had threatened to initiate contempt proceedings against Madras High Court Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul for allegedly interfering with his (Justice Karnan) judicial order by his (Justice Kaul) orders on the administrative side.

The court by its order on Monday said: "We restrain the judge who initiated suo motu proceedings relating to suo motu W.P. (writ petition) pending before the Madras High Court from either hearing or issuing any direction in the said W.P."

The court further said that "in all other matters connected with it there shall not be any interference by any person or authority or judges in the process initiated by the high court for selection and appointment of Tamil Nadu junior judicial officers till the disposal of the SLP (matter)".