Politics · India · 1 hr ago
Supreme Court seeks explanation from Sanjay Raut over remarks about CJI
The Supreme Court issued contempt notices to Sanjay Raut and journalist Nikhil Wagle over remarks about Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
The dispute began after Surya Kant declined to meet opposition leaders who wanted to discuss the Election Commission and voter-list revisions, saying the issues could be raised through a court petition.
Raut and Wagle criticised that decision, and the Supreme Court Bar Association later filed a criminal contempt petition against them.
The association also challenged a claim linked to photos of judges playing badminton in London, saying the event shown was held in Delhi in 2025.
The court asked both men to explain why contempt proceedings should not begin, saying attacks on institutions were unfortunate.
The notices are separate from a case brought by opposition leaders, including Raut, alleging irregularities in the voter-list revision process.
The court will consider their responses before deciding what happens next, and has excused them from attending the next hearing in person.
The Supreme Court issued notices to Shiv Sena (UBT) lawmaker Sanjay Raut and journalist Nikhil Wagle over remarks about Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
The notices followed a criminal contempt petition filed by the Supreme Court Bar Association on October 15.
The petition alleges that remarks and social media posts by Raut and Wagle were false and undermined the authority of the court.
The court asked the two to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them.
They were excused from appearing in person at the next hearing, and the bench will first consider their responses.
- Who
- The Supreme Court Bar Association filed the petition against Sanjay Raut and Nikhil Wagle.
- What
- It sought criminal contempt action over remarks and posts about Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The court issued notices asking for explanations.
- When
- The petition was filed on October 15, 2026, and the court issued notices on October 16.
- Where
- The Supreme Court of India.
- Why
- The SCBA alleged that the remarks were false and scandalised or diminished the authority of the court.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Chief Justice Surya Kant declined a request to meet INDIA bloc leaders.
Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders marched to the Supreme Court and filed 13 petitions opposing the SIR.
The SCBA approached Attorney General R Venkataramani for consent to file a contempt petition.
The Attorney General’s consent was received and the SCBA filed the criminal contempt petition.
The Supreme Court issued notices to Raut and Wagle seeking their explanations.
- Petition filed
- October 15, 2026
- Petitioner
- Supreme Court Bar Association
- Respondents
- Sanjay Raut and Nikhil Wagle
- Chief Justice
- Surya Kant
- Next hearing
- The respondents are excused from appearing in person; the bench will first consider their replies.
4 sources
Supreme Court issues notices to MP Sanjay Raut, journalist Nikhil Wagle over remarks targeting CJI, judiciary
CJI सूर्यकांत पर टिप्पणी मामले में संजय राउत को नोटिस: विपक्षी नेताओं से नहीं मिलने की आलोचना थी; सुप्रीम क...
राहुल गांधी से नहीं मिले CJI तो भड़के थे संजय राउत, अब सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने आचरण पर मांगा स्पष्टीकरण
Contempt plea filed in SC against Sanjay Raut, journalist Wagle over remarks against CJI
What people are saying
No one can intimidate or threaten us (the judiciary).
In my considered view the tweets made by Nikhil Wagle, journalist and Sanjay Raut, Member of Parliament are prima facie scandalous, intended to lower the esteem of the Supreme Court of India and particularly the CJI.