SC rebukes BJP MP Nishikant Dubey for 'highly irresponsible' remarks on CJI

However, the Supreme Court has junked the plea for contempt action against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey for his remarks against the judiciary

The Supreme Court has called the remarks of BJP MP Nishikant Dubey reflective of a penchant to attract attention by casting aspersions on the top court and its judges. The top court was hearing a petition seeking direction to initiate a suo motu contempt case against Dubey for allegedly making derogatory and scandalising remarks against the Supreme Court and Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna.

 

The court said it is of the firm opinion that “courts are not as fragile as flowers to wither and wilt under such ludicrous statements”. The BJP MP made the remarks after the CJI-led bench suggested a stay on the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act.

 

    Also read: Nishikant Dubey's remark sparks contempt debate: Can MPs be prosecuted? 

The court has, however, junked the plea for contempt action against Dubey for remarks against the judiciary. The bench noted that such statements have the potential to interfere with and obstruct the course of justice.

 

Dubey, during an interview to ANI, had said that the “Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna is responsible for the civil wars taking place in the country”.  

         Also read: BJP's Nishikant Dubey targets former CEC, calls him a 'Muslim commissioner'    

Although the bench dismissed the petition, it issued strong criticism of Dubey in its order released today. After examining the matter, the bench stated that Dubey’s comments tend to lower the authority of the Supreme Court of India, "if not interfere or tend to interfere with the judicial proceedings pending before this court". The bench further observed that the statements were highly irresponsible and had the potential to obstruct and interfere with the administration of justice.

 

 Dubey's statements, the court said, reflect the clear intent to impute motives to the bench by naming the CJI as responsible for all the civil wars happening in India.

  What did Nishikant Dubey say?

 

Dubey has sparked controversy with his comments against the Supreme Court. He accused the Court of “inciting religious wars” by choosing to hear petitions that challenge legislation passed by Parliament, and suggested that the Parliament building should be shut down if the judiciary is going to take on the role of lawmaking. Opposition parties condemned his remarks, arguing that they warrant contempt proceedings. The BJP leader had also alleged that the Supreme Court wanted to take this country towards "anarchy".