Supreme Court Contempt Case Filed Against Journalist Nikhil Wagale and Shiv Sena UBT Leader Sanjay Raut
A contempt of court petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against journalist Nikhil Wagale and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). The petition is based on objectionable comments both made about the Chief Justice of India. The SCBA had sought consent from Attorney General R. Venkataramani to proceed with criminal contempt proceedings under Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
Attorney General Venkataramani has granted consent to pursue the case. He stated that the tweets by Wagale and Raut prima facie appear designed to lower the dignity of the Supreme Court and particularly the Chief Justice. The objectionable remarks came after the Chief Justice did not grant an audience to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders. Wagale used highly objectionable language in his tweets, while Raut alleged that judges attend parties hosted by BJP leaders and play badminton with them.
Venkataramani noted that Raut's claims are factually baseless, relying on a misrepresented old photograph of judges that the Delhi High Court has already ordered removed. The Attorney General's approval does not establish guilt; the matter now proceeds to the Supreme Court for adjudication.
