Soumya rape and murder case: Don't threaten me, Katju to Supreme Court

New Delhi: In an unprecedented order in the annals of the Supreme Court, a notice has been issued to former apex court judge Markandey Katju to show cause why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against him for criticising judges and not the judgment in the Soumya rape and murder case.

This is perhaps for the first time in judicial history that a former apex court Judge has been slapped with a contempt charge for his comments in a blog allegedly scandalising the judiciary.

After the court issued contempt notice, an infuriated Justice Katju told Justice Gogoi “try to be modest. I don’t bother. Mr (Justice) Gogoi don’t threaten me. Do what you want. I am not scared. Don’t be funny with me. This is a free country. I can say what I want to say.”

I came here on your invite and I am sorry it has come to this,” Justice Katju said.
“We are sorry too,” Justice Gogoi said before passing a short order initiating contempt action against the former Supreme Court judge. Justice Gogoi warned him saying “don’t provoke us any more” to which Justice Katju said “you are provoking me by this type of threat.”