Former judge Justice CS Karnan passed away on Friday, November 13, at a private hospital in Delhi at the age of 71. He is survived by his wife and two sons. Having served as a judge in both the Madras and Calcutta High Courts, his entire judicial career remained a subject of intense public discussion and numerous controversies. During his tenure, he openly accused Supreme Court judges and the collegium system of corruption and caste-based discrimination.
The Historic Clash With the Supreme Court
Tensions between Justice Karnan and the Supreme Court reached their absolute peak in May 2017. At that time, a seven-member constitution bench headed by the then Chief Justice JS Khehar found him guilty of criminal contempt of court. The bench sentenced him to six months in jail. This action was taken because Justice Karnan had earlier issued a bizarre judicial order sentencing the Chief Justice of India and other top apex court judges to five years of rigorous imprisonment. This unprecedented move made him the first sitting judge in India to be imprisoned on contempt charges.
Evading Arrest and Eventual Capture
Following the Supreme Court order, Justice Karnan successfully evaded arrest for more than a month. Eventually, in June 2017, the Kolkata police apprehended him from Coimbatore. This arrest took place just days after his official retirement on June 12. After serving his sentence, he was released from prison in December 2017. The entire episode sparked a nationwide debate regarding judicial accountability and the powers associated with contempt of court.
Early Life and Entry Into Law
Born in 1955 in Karunatham village within the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, his original name was Karunanidhi, which he officially changed to Karnan in 1991. He earned his law degree from the Madras Law College in 1983 and subsequently began practicing law, focusing primarily on civil and constitutional matters. In 2009, he was appointed as a judge of the Madras High Court, and was later transferred to the Calcutta High Court in 2016. Throughout his tenure on the bench, he repeatedly leveled allegations of corruption and bias against his fellow judges and the collegium.
Controversies Following Retirement
Even after laying down his judicial robes, Justice Karnan remained embroiled in controversies. In December 2020, the Chennai police arrested him following the circulation of several videos on social media platforms. In those clips, he was allegedly seen making derogatory remarks and threats directed at judges and female members of their families. Later, the Madras High Court granted him bail, taking into consideration his health condition and an unconditional apology. With his death at 71, a deeply controversial chapter in the history of the Indian judiciary comes to a close.
