Kerala University syndicate member moves high court against contempt proceedings
The post was made against the backdrop of the legal battel over the university registrar's suspension.
A bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and S Muralee Krishna has listed the appeal for July 21 for a detailed hearing on its maintainability. Earlier, the single bench had directed the high court registry to issue notice to Rajesh, requiring him to appear on July 23 in the contempt proceedings. The bench also ordered that the matter be placed before the appropriate bench, as per the directions of the Chief Justice.
The alleged Facebook post, dated July 6, stated that "it is the goddess of justice who sits in the high court, not a woman holding a saffron flag." In its order, the single bench held that the remarks prima facie amount to interference with the administration of justice and scandalising the court. The bench observed that Rajesh had not merely criticised a judgment but had levelled serious accusations against the judges themselves, alleging that the bench hearing university-related matters was headed by staunch Sangh Parivar supporters.
The single bench further stated that such language amounts to scandalising the court and maligning the reputation of the judges and accordingly initiated criminal contempt proceedings.
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