The Supreme Court directed Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut to appear in person on November 17 in contempt proceedings over remarks about the CJI and judiciary.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut to appear before it in person on November 17 in contempt proceedings over his remarks concerning Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and the judiciary.
A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M. Pancholi also directed journalist Nikhil Wagle to appear virtually at the next hearing.
"This is an issue which pertains to the entire institution of judiciary," the bench observed.
The court had issued show-cause notices to Raut and Wagle on October 16 following a contempt petition filed by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). It had exempted both from personal appearance on October 28 to first consider their explanations. Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for Wagle, informed the court that her client had deleted the objectionable social media posts and tendered an unconditional apology.
"Now that he has deleted and expressed remorse and tendered unconditional apology, let him appear," the bench said, allowing Wagle to appear virtually.
When Jaising sought the discharge of the notice against Wagle, the court requested her assistance in the matter. "We request you to assist us. You will never say no, we know that," the bench said.
Jaising responded, "Because we love this institution. But the institution must also love us. It has to be a mutual love. It can't be a one-way love."
The court observed that it was never a one-way traffic.
Senior advocate Pradeep Rai and other lawyers representing the SCBA referred to social media posts by Raut and Wagle, alleging that they showed disrespect towards the Supreme Court.
The bench noted that although Raut had filed a reply affidavit, a copy was not on record. It consequently directed him to remain physically present on November 17.
The controversy arose after the CJI declined a request for a personal meeting with an Opposition delegation, indicating that the matter could instead be raised through a petition.
According to the SCBA, Wagle subsequently posted an allegedly abusive remark about the CJI. Raut also made remarks that the association described as objectionable.
The SCBA petition referred to a June 19 Delhi High Court order concerning photographs circulated as showing a badminton event in London. The High Court had found that the pictures were actually from an event at Delhi's Thyagaraj Stadium in November 2025 and directed their removal.
Attorney General R. Venkataramani, who granted consent for initiating criminal contempt proceedings, said the allegations about judges attending BJP programmes and chief ministers hosting dinners were unsupported by facts.
The SCBA maintained that while fair criticism of the judiciary was permissible, the remarks in question crossed that boundary and could undermine public confidence in the institution.
Raut said after Wednesday's hearing that he would appear before the court as directed.
