The Supreme Court on Friday issued show-cause notice to all office-bearers of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) over a social media post targeting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, asking why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them.
A Bench of Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi was hearing the matter concerning a post published on the official X handle of Congress Kerala on October 12. The post, addressed to the CJI, stated:
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“Dear Surya Kant, If law and order is not your domain, resign now. We will find your replacement who can handle it.”
Counsel appearing for the KPCC submitted that the post had been uploaded on the official social media account without the approval or consent of the office-bearers. Counsel said the post was removed on the same day and that a press release expressing regret was also issued the following day. An unconditional apology was tendered before the Court.
The Bench, however, questioned the genuineness of the apology, observing, “We will see whether the affidavit comes from your pen or from your heart.” When counsel offered to file an affidavit, the Court clarified that notice would be issued to all office-bearers of the KPCC.
The Court observed that the independence of the judiciary was a constitutional guarantee and could not be treated as a matter of political convenience. It also observed that while judicial decisions were open to criticism, freedom of expression could not be used as a shield for intimidation or interference with the administration of justice.
The Bench further remarked that judicial restraint should not be mistaken for institutional weakness and that attempts to undermine the authority of the Court must be dealt with firmly. It clarified that it had not expressed any opinion on the merits of the allegations at this stage.
The Court issued notice to all office-bearers of the KPCC and listed the matter for further hearing on December 15, 2026.