Calcutta High Court Justice CS Karnan has directed the Air Control Authority to bar seven Supreme Court judges, including Chief Justice of India JS Kehar who had issued a contempt order against him, till the case is disposed off.

"Today the above mentioned accused 1 to 8 are called absent hence their matter is re-posted to 01.05.2017 [Monday] to enable their reappearance. In the meantime, this court directs the Air Control Authority [referring to the Airports Authority of India] New Delhi, not to permit the said accused 1 to 8 from going abroad until the disposal of this crucial issue, since the nature of the offence, that is caste discrimination, is not only a heinous crime but also a very cruel Atrocious Act of heinous crime, and is punishable as per the Indian Constitution," Justice Karnan said in his order yesterday.

He said if the judges are permitted to travel abroad then there is a probability of the "virus of caste discrimination spreading".

Justice Karnan has also deferred the hearing of his case against the Supreme Court judges. Earlier this month, he had directed the judges to appear before him on Friday.

The seven judges had issued a suo motu contempt order against Karnan in February after he had in January named 20 "corrupt judges", seeking probe against them to curb "high corruption" in the Indian judiciary.

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