The Supreme Court has summoned Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut to appear in person on November 17 as part of contempt proceedings related to his comments about Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and the judiciary. The directive was issued by a bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M Pancholi, who indicated that the case concerns the integrity of the entire judicial institution.

Additionally, journalist Nikhil Wagle has been instructed to attend the next hearing virtually. This follows the issuance of show-cause notices to both Raut and Wagle on October 16, stemming from a contempt petition lodged by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). Initially, the court had allowed them to skip the October 28 hearing, opting to review their explanations first.

After the recent hearing, Raut confirmed to the Press Trust of India that he would comply with the court’s order. He expressed uncertainty regarding the proceedings, as his legal representatives were absent during the session. Raut stated, “I will remain present in the court.”

Details of the Hearing and Apologies Offered

During the proceedings, senior advocate Indira Jaising, who represented Wagle, noted that Wagle had issued an unconditional apology for his social media posts, which he later deleted. The bench acknowledged this apology and allowed Wagle to join the proceedings virtually, emphasising the significance of the issues at hand, which pertain to the judiciary as a whole.

Lawyers representing the SCBA, including senior advocate Pradeep Rai, pointed out that the social media posts by Raut and Wagle demonstrated a lack of respect for the Supreme Court. The bench remarked that while Raut had submitted a reply affidavit, the document was not available in the court records at that time.

Nevertheless, it mandated Raut’s physical presence for the next hearing. Jaising also mentioned that Wagle had filed a reply affidavit and requested the withdrawal of the show-cause notice against him. The bench invited her assistance in this matter, indicating that the court appreciated her willingness to contribute to the proceedings.

Background of the Controversy

The contempt proceedings were initiated following remarks made by Raut and Wagle that allegedly exceeded the bounds of fair criticism and could potentially undermine public confidence in the judiciary. Attorney General R Venkataramani had previously consented to the initiation of these proceedings under Section 15(1)(b) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.

The SCBA filed its petition on October 15, with Venkataramani granting consent on the same day. The controversy arose after the Chief Justice declined a request for a personal meeting with a delegation of opposition parties, suggesting that the matter could be addressed through a formal petition instead.

According to the SCBA’s petition, Wagle later made an allegedly abusive remark against the Chief Justice on social media and subsequently apologised, requesting that the contempt issue not be pursued. Raut also faced scrutiny for making objectionable statements. The SCBA challenged his claims, arguing that they contradicted the available evidence.

The petition referenced a June 19 order from the Delhi High Court, which clarified that certain photographs attributed to a badminton event in London were actually from an event held in Delhi in November 2025. The court had ordered the removal of the misleading content. In his consent letter, the Attorney General described Wagle’s remarks as abusive and inappropriate for public discourse.

Regarding Raut’s allegations, he noted that claims about judges attending BJP events were unfounded. Venkataramani highlighted that an MP should have verified facts before making such allegations. The SCBA maintained that it did not seek to restrict fair criticism but argued that the statements made had crossed acceptable boundaries, risking the court’s authority. The Supreme Court is set to revisit the matter on November 17, with Raut required to appear in person and Wagle virtually.

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