New Delhi. Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut and journalist Nikhil Wagle have been asked by the Supreme Court to appear in person on November 17 at 2 pm. Both are accused of contempt related to their comments on CJI Surya Kant and the judiciary. Sanjay Raut has been asked to appear before the Supreme Court in Delhi and Nikhil Wagle has been asked to appear virtually. Sanjay Raut and Nikhil Wagle have been ordered to appear by the Supreme Court bench of Justice Arvind Kumar and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi.
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) had filed a criminal contempt petition against Sanjay Raut and Nikhil Wagle. SCBA appeals to Attorney General R. After getting the written consent of Venkataramani, a criminal contempt petition was filed against Sanjay Raut and Nikhil Wagle. Venkataramani prima facie considered the comments of Sanjay Raut and Nikhil Wagle to be demeaning and objectionable to the judiciary. Senior lawyers Pradeep Rai, Rahul Kaushik and lawyers Meenesh Dubey and Pragya Baghel appeared in the Supreme Court on behalf of SCBA. He had said that the social media posts of Sanjay Raut and Nikhil Wagle show lack of respect for the top court of the country.
On October 16, the Supreme Court had issued a show cause notice to Sanjay Raut and Nikhil Wagle on SCBA. The court had said that first the replies given by both would be considered. Nikhil Wagle's lawyer Indira Jaising told the Supreme Court that her client has apologized unconditionally and sincerely for the post. He said that Nikhil Wagle deleted the social media post after receiving the contempt notice. At the same time, SCBA said that Wagle deleted the post five days late. On this, Justice Arvind Kumar said that when remorse has been expressed, Nikhil Wagle should appear. He approved Wagle's virtual appearance. The court also said that if needed, Nikhil Wagle can be asked to appear personally.