To hold protests across country; BSP chief has promised support, says lawyer

Calcutta High Court judge C.S. Karnan has contacted Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) national president Mayawati, and she has extended her “support” to the Judge, his lawyer has said.

Speaking to The Hindu, the lawyer W. Peter Ramesh said the BSP chief had offered “full cooperation” for Justice Karnan’s proposed protest demonstration and day-long hunger strike in Lucknow.

On March 10, the Supreme Court issued a bailable warrant against him in relation to a contempt-of-court order issued against him in February. Justice Karnan refused to accept the warrant.

As for the reason for contacting Ms. Mayawati, Mr. Ramesh said the BSP chief was a “prominent Dalit leader”, and Justice Karnan had made it clear that he was being “targeted by the Supreme Court for being a Dalit.”

BSP participation

According to the judge’s associates, the BSP leadership has not only offered full cooperation but will also “participate in Justice Karnan’s protest in Lucknow.” Justice Karnan has not only accused the seven- judge Bench of the Supreme Court of targeting him because he is a Dalit but has also instructed the CBI to start a probe against them and Attorney-General Mukul Rohtagi.

“In the result I direct the Central Bureau of Investigation to register, investigate and file a report before the appropriate court of law under Article 226 (writ jurisdiction of High Courts) with section 482 of CrPC (Saving of inherent powers of High Court) to prevent abuse of process of any Court and to secure the ends of justice, under the appropriate criminal provisions of the Schedule Castes and Scheduled Tribes(Prevention of Atrocities) Act,1989 and other Penal provisions against the accused persons…” stated Justice Karnan in his writ order last week.

According to Mr. Ramesh, apart from Lucknow, Justice Karnan will also hold protests and a daylong hunger strike in Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata. The dates of the protest are yet to be finalised.