Supreme Court acts against KPCC over controversial CJI post. (Img: IANS)
New Delhi: Taking note of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee over a social media post targeting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, the Supreme Court has issued a contempt notice to the office-bearers of KPCC. The court observed that the freedom of expression can not be used to interfere with the administration of justice.
The Supreme Court emphasised that judicial decisions can be criticised, but attempts to undermine the authority of the judiciary must be dealt with firmly.
"Judgments are always open to criticism, but freedom of expression can't be a shield for interference with administration of justice."
The court also warned, "Any attempt to undermine the authority of the court needs to be dealt with iron hand."
Stressing upon the supremacy of the Constitution, it added, "The Constitution is supreme; no individual or political organisation stands above it."
The Apex Court has registered a petition based on a complaint seeking contempt proceedings against the KPCC over the controversial post. According to the court's website, advocate Vineet Jindal's complaint, addressed to the CJI on October 13, was registered as a writ petition on October 30.
The complaint also sought directions to authorities to examine whether a political demonstration and sloganeering took place on the SC premises on the evening of October 12, 2026, involving Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other political leaders.
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It also called for an inquiry into whether the gathering was held without permission or disrupted the movement of advocates, litigants, judicial officers or court staff.
On October 12, the controversial message was posted from the official account of Congress' Kerala unit on X and attracted widespread criticism. The post was deleted after public criticism.
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KPCC president Sunny Joseph subsequently confirmed that the person responsible for publishing the post had been removed from the charge. It also clarified that the post was uploaded without the knowledge, consent, or consultation of the party's state leadership.
Joseph also maintained that the Congress party did not disagree with the impartiality of the judiciary.
