'Nobody Is Above Law':Kerala High Court Orders Appearance Of Ex-CPM MLA Rajesh In Criminal Contempt Case

The Kerala High Court has framed charges against R. Rajesh, former Member of Legislative Assembly and Syndicate Member of University of Kerala, in suo motu criminal contempt of court case.The charges were framed by Justice D.K. Singh after Mr. R. Rajesh (alleged contemnor) made a Facebook post which allegedly criticised the judges heading the Bench hearing education matters. According to the charges, the alleged contemnor's language amounted to scandalising the Court and maligning the reputation of the judge(s).In the interim order passed by the Court, it was observed that in the alleged Facebook post, the alleged contemnor had stated that the Bench hearing University cases is headed by staunch Sangh Parivar supporters.In the charges, it is stated that the post, written in Malayalam, has made wild and unsubstantiated allegations which lowered the prestige and majesty of the Courts in the eyes of the public.Noting that the Facebook post by the alleged contemnor has interfered with the Court proceedings and the administration of justice in an ex-facie contemptuous way, the Court found it necessary to take action against him.In the interim order, the Court has observed as follows:“The Court is at pains to act against the alleged contemnor, but the Court is also conscious of its duties and responsibilities to protect the institution of the High Court and to maintain purity and sanctity in the administration of justice…In view thereof, this Court holds Sri R Rajesh, Ex- MLA and Syndicate Member of the University of Kerala, to have prima facie committed ex facie contempt of the Court by writing the Facebook post mentioned above on 06.07.2025, which amounts to scandalising and lowering the authority of this Court and interference with due course of judicial proceedings and it also tends to interfere or obstruct the administration of justice.”Thus, two counts of charges were made against the alleged contemnor, exercising the powers under Section 15 of the Contempt of Court Act, 1971 and the plenary powers of the High Court under Article 215 of the Constitution of India, read with Rule 164(2) of Chapter XII of the Rules of the High Court of Kerala 1971.The charges framed are as follows:“(i) You, Mr R Rajesh, Ex-MLA and Syndicate Member of the University of Kerala, by writing the Facebook post on 06.07.2025 on your Facebook page, have clearly intended to defile the image of the Court, cast insinuations and insult to the Judges heading the education Bench.(ii) You, Mr R Rajesh, Ex-MLA and Syndicate Member of the University of Kerala, have written the Facebook post on 06.07.2025, with the clear intention to bring the Court into disrepute by making scandalous and unfounded allegations in intemperate language. Your ex-facie contemptuous writing on Facebook as envisaged under Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 defines criminal contempt that makes you liable to be punished under the provisions of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, and, therefore, you are hereby called upon to answer the aforesaid charge in person or through counsel and be present yourself to be tried on 23.07.2021.”In the interim order, Mr. R. Rajesh was issued notice and directed to appear before the High Court on July 23 at 10:15 am.Case Title: Suo Motu v. R. RajeshCase No: Contempt Case (Crl.) No. 1 of 2025Click To Read/Download Order

'Nobody Is Above Law':Kerala High Court Orders Appearance Of Ex-CPM MLA Rajesh In Criminal Contempt Case

K. Salma Jennath

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