SC stays Madras HC judge's order against CJ

The Supreme Court today stayed an interim order passed by Madras High Court controversial judge Justice C S Karnan, allegedly undermining the authority of High Court Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul.
"There will be a stay of the interim order dated April 30, 2015, passed in a suo motu writ petition," a bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu said on Justice Karnan's order in a case relating to appointment of officers of lower judiciary.
"We restrain the judge who initiated the suo-motu proceedings relating to the suo motu writ petition pending before Madras High Court from either hearing or issuing any direction in the said writ petition," the bench also comprising justices Arun Misra and Amitabha Roy said.

It further said that in all other matters connected with it, there shall not be any interference by any person or authority or judges in completing the process initiated by the High Court for selection and appointment of junior judicial officers in Tamil Nadu till disposal of the special leave petition.
The bench posted the appeal filed by the Madras High Court registry against the order passed by Justice Karnan for hearing after the vacation.
Senior advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for the High Court registry, said that "the conduct of this judge has brought great disrepute to the High Court by his so-called suo motu judicial order."

Responding to his submission, the bench said, "We have seen the order and we are fully aware of the order."
While Venugopal was seeking to mention some other plea, the bench said, "First you see the reaction and we will also know what will be the reaction.