SC issues contempt notices to comedian Kunal Kamra, cartoonist Rachita Taneja

The Supreme Court on Friday issued a show-cause notice to comedian Kunal Kamra and comic artist Rachita Taneja in a contempt case of the apex court. In fact, Kunal Kamra, in one of his tweets, made a derogatory gesture about the Chief Justice of India (CJI) through Middle Finger. Kamara is already facing a case of contempt. However, in these cases, he has made it clear that he will neither delete his tweet nor apologize for it.

Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice R. Subhash Reddy and Justice M.R. Shah’s bench issued separate notices to the duo and directed them to reply within six weeks. However, in other cases of contempt, the bench exempted both from appearing during the hearing. The apex court on Thursday reserved its judgment on the petitions filed for contempt proceedings against Kamra and Taneja in the alleged contemptuous tweet case.

Attorney General K.R. While agreeing to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Kamra, Venugopal had said that the tweets were done under “bad feeling” and that it is time that people understand that the court contempt act for indecent assault on the apex court – Punishment can be done under 1971.

Similarly, the Attorney had also agreed to initiate contempt proceedings against Taneja. He said such tweets were done to malign the Supreme Court and reduce the trust of the people towards the judiciary.

It is to be noted that to initiate contempt proceedings against a person, the court has to seek the consent of the Attorney General or Solicitor General under Section 15 of the Contempt Act-1971. Criminal contempt of the Supreme Court can be fined up to Rs 2,000 and imprisonment up to six months.