AoR Seeks AG's Sanction To Initiate Contempt Proceedings Against Kerala Congress President Over Social Media Post Targeting CJI
The Kerala Congress has deleted its post on X (Twitter) targeting the CJI Surya Kant over the Delhi Protests.
A request was made by Advocate-on-Record Savita Singh seeking consent under Section 15(1)(b) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, to Initiate Criminal Contempt Proceedings against Sunny Joseph, President, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), Indian National Congress and social media administrators over a derogatory X post targeting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
Recently, it has been reported that Supreme Court Bar Association Joint Secretary Meenesh Dubey had also issued a legal notice to KPCC President Sunny Joseph, demanding an explanation for the post.
The Letter of October 16 stated, "The aforesaid post constitutes blatant criminal contempt as it: Scandalizes and lowers the authority of the Chief Justice of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. Addressing the Chief Justice of India in an overtly coercive, intimidating and condescending manner ("Dear Surya Kant", …. "resign now", "We will find your replacement") publicly denigrates the dignity and majesty of the apex judicial office of the Country. That the aforesaid statement, addressed to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, raises serious concerns regarding the language used and its potential effect on the dignity and independence of the highest judiciary in the Country."
On October 12, 2026, the official verified X handle INC Kerala had published an alleged objectionable, derogatory, and intimidating post directed against the Chief Justice of India.
The contemptuous tweet was deleted after widespread criticism.
The Letter said, "It interferes with the Judicial Functioning: Issuing an ultimatum to the sitting Chief Justice of India lowers the majesty of the Judiciary and undermines public confidence in the administration of justice. It is pertinent to mention that the matters are sub-judice before the Court of Hon’ble CJI with respect to these protests and therefore, any such statement if not dealt with in accordance with law would send a wrong message to public at large which has highest regard for the judicial process in the Country."
The lawyer submitted that independence of the judiciary is the basic feature of the Constitution and any attempt to denigrate the CJI in the most vilifying language, tone and tenor in the said tweet has a potential effect on the dignity and authority of the judiciary to lower down the majesty of the Apex Court and its independence in the eyes of general public and the amounts to criminal contempt of the Court.
The Letter sought, "GRANT 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 Hon’ble Supreme Court of India against Mr. Sunny Joseph, President, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Indian National Congress (Kerala State Unit) and it’s Authorized Office Bearers / Social Media Account Administrators on X (formerly Twitter) Handle."
It was submitted that the Judiciary and the Supreme Court enjoy the highest faith and trust of the common man as well as the public at large for its righteous decisions to uphold the cause of justice, including that of Fundamental rights of citizens against any administrative adversity.
It concluded that there is no impediment to proceeding with the criminal contempt of the Supreme Court and the Office of the CJI against the proposed contemnor and accordingly, consent may be given to initiate contempt proceedings.