SCBA Condemns BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's Remarks Against Judiciary, Expresses Hope That AG Sanctions Criminal Contempt

The Supreme Court Bar Association and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association today (April 22) officially condemned the remarks made by Member of Parliament, Nishikant Dubey, against the judiciary and CJI Sanjiv Khanna and expressed hope that formal proceedings of criminal contempt are allowed by the Attorney General against Dubey. 

In a resolution passed by the SCBA, Dubey's remarks have been termed to be not just defamatory but also attracting contempt proceedings. 

"The Supreme Court Bar Association condemns the actionable intemperate statement made by the BJP M.P. Mr. Nishikant Dubey, who apparently told ANI that the Chief Justice of India Mr. Justice Sanjiv Khanna is responsible for "all civil wars in the country". Не further stated that "the Supreme Court is going beyond its limits. If one has to go to the Supreme Court for everything, then Parliament and State Assemblies should shut down....". This statement is not only defamatory but also amounts to contempt of the Supreme Court. This attack on the Supreme Court, as an Institution, and qua the Chief Justice of India Mr. Justice Sanjiv Khanna, as an individual, is unacceptable and must be dealt with in accordance with the law."

The Association has also expressed its hope over the possibility of AG granting sanction to proceed with the initiation of contempt against Dubey. 

"We do hope that the Attorney General, charged with the responsibility of protecting the Constitution and the laws, who has reportedly received a petition seeking consent to proceed for Criminal Contempt against Mr. Nishikant Dubey, will grant consent to protect the dignity of the Institution and the dignity of the Chief Justice of India Mr. Justice Sanjiv Khanna." 

The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association also passed a resolution condemning Dubey's remarks.

Subsequent to the controversial statements made by Dubey, a plea was filed by an Advocate on Record seeking criminal contempt proceedings against Dubey. Today, two more letters were written to the AG seeking sanction to initiate criminal contempt.  The comments were made by Dubey taking objection to the Supreme Court setting timelines for the President and Governors to act on Bills. It was also alleged that Dubey made communally polarising statements in the context of the Court's intervention in the petitions challenging the Waqf Amendment Act.

Click here to read the resolution