'Judicial Independence Not Political Convenience': Supreme Court Issues Notice To Kerala Congress Over Post Targeting CJI

The Supreme Court has issued a show-cause notice to the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) and its office-bearers, questioning why criminal or civil contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for a controversial post on the party's official X account that targeted Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant. The court emphasized that judicial independence cannot be compromised for political convenience and that freedom of expression cannot be used to intimidate the judiciary.

The bench stated that the Constitution is supreme and no institution or political party should claim superiority over it. The court warned that if such conduct is permitted, other institutions may also face similar attacks. The controversy began on October 12 when the KPCC's X account published a post criticizing CJI Surya Kant, who had previously stated that law and order was not the judiciary's domain.

The post directly addressed the CJI, demanding his resignation and threatening to replace him if necessary. The post triggered widespread criticism from the legal community and political leaders before it was deleted. However, a complaint for contempt proceedings was later filed against the party.