Advocate Seeks Attorney General's Consent to File Contempt Case Against Kerala Congress Chief Over Post Targeting CJI
An Advocate-on-Record, Savita Singh, has sought written consent under Section 15(1)(b) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Sunny Joseph, President of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), the Indian National Congress, and social media administrators. The request concerns a post on X that targeted Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
The post was published on October 12, 2026, from the official verified X handle of INC Kerala. According to the letter, the post was objectionable, derogatory and intimidating, and addressed the Chief Justice of India in a coercive and condescending manner, using phrases such as "Dear Surya Kant", "resign now" and "We will find your replacement". The tweet was deleted after widespread criticism.
The letter stated that the post amounts to blatant criminal contempt because it scandalises and lowers the authority of the Chief Justice of India, and publicly denigrates the dignity and majesty of the apex judicial office. It added that the language used raises serious concerns about its potential effect on the dignity and independence of the highest judiciary in the country.
It further submitted that the post interferes with judicial functioning, as issuing an ultimatum to a sitting Chief Justice lowers the majesty of the judiciary and undermines public confidence in the administration of justice. The letter noted that matters relating to these protests are sub-judice before the court of the Chief Justice of India, and that any such statement, if not dealt with in accordance with law, would send a wrong message to the public, which holds the judicial process in the highest regard.
The lawyer argued that the independence of the judiciary is a basic feature of the Constitution, and that any attempt to denigrate the Chief Justice of India in vilifying language, tone and tenor has the potential to lower the majesty of the Apex Court and its independence in the eyes of the public, amounting to criminal contempt.
The letter sought written consent under Section 15(1)(b) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, to enable the applicant to initiate criminal contempt proceedings before the Supreme Court against Sunny Joseph, the KPCC President, the Indian National Congress (Kerala State Unit), and its authorised office bearers and social media account administrators on X. It concluded that there is no impediment to proceeding with the criminal contempt of the Supreme Court and the office of the Chief Justice of India against the proposed contemnor, and that consent may accordingly be granted.
Separately, Supreme Court Bar Association Joint Secretary Meenesh Dubey had issued a legal notice to KPCC President Sunny Joseph, demanding an explanation for the post.
Source: Verdictum