SCBA Contempt Case: Sanjay Raut to Appear Physically, Nikhil Wagle Virtually on Nov 17
The Supreme Court directs MP Sanjay Raut to appear physically and journalist Nikhil Wagle virtually on Nov 17 in a criminal contempt case.
The Supreme Court has issued a stern directive to Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and journalist Nikhil Wagle, ordering them to appear before the court on November 17 in connection with a criminal contempt case. The proceedings stem from remarks allegedly made against the judiciary and Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
Different Directives for Raut and Wagle
A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M Pancholi has specified different modes of appearance for the two individuals. While Sanjay Raut has been ordered to appear physically, Nikhil Wagle has been permitted to join the proceedings virtually. The matter is scheduled for hearing at 2 pm on the designated date.
The court's decision regarding Wagle comes after he tendered an unconditional apology and deleted the controversial social media post in question. Senior advocate Indira Jaising, representing Wagle, emphasized his five-decade-long career in journalism and stated that he felt sincere remorse, asserting that there was no intention to justify the remarks. Given that Wagle resides in Mumbai, the court granted the request for a virtual appearance, though it reserved the right to demand his physical presence later if necessary.
SCBA Raises Concerns Over Social Media Posts
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), which filed the petition, pointed out a critical detail: Wagle only deleted his post five days after it was originally published. Furthermore, the SCBA brought to the court's attention another social media post attributed to Sanjay Raut, which reportedly referenced the burning down of Albania’s Supreme Court by protesters.
Reacting to these developments, Justice Kumar observed that the matter pertains to the integrity of the entire judicial institution, noting that the judiciary has consistently stood up for others.
The Root of the Controversy
The legal battle began after the SCBA filed a criminal contempt petition on October 15. The petition was backed by the written consent of Attorney General R Venkataramani, who viewed the remarks as scandalous. The controversy was sparked after CJI Surya Kant declined a request from a delegation of Opposition parties to meet him, advising them instead to follow legal protocol by filing a petition in the Supreme Court.
Key Timeline of the Case:
- October 15: SCBA files the criminal contempt petition against Raut and Wagle.
- October 16: The Supreme Court issues notices to both individuals, asking them to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated, while granting a temporary exemption from personal appearance.
- October 28: The court directs Raut's physical appearance and Wagle's virtual appearance for the next hearing.
As the court moves forward, the Registry has been directed to place Sanjay Raut’s reply affidavit on record. Notably, no counsel appeared for Raut during the most recent hearing.