Will Nishikant Dubey face contempt charges? SC to hear plea over BJP MP's anti-judiciary remarks next week

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition seeking initiation of contempt of court action against Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey next week. Several lawyers have already approached the attorney general's office seeking contempt proceedings against Dubey for his remarks against the judiciary. 

 

The matter was mentioned before a bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Augustine George Masih for urgent listing. The petitioner told the bench that Dubey said the chief justice of India was "responsible for religious wars" in the country. Highlighting it was a serious matter, the petitioner also sought directions to remove the video from social media platforms.

 

The petitioner also noted though lawyers have written to Attorney General R. Venkataramani's office seeking consent to initiate contempt proceedings against Dubey, no action had been taken till date. The bench said the matter will be heard next week.

 

Interestingly, the matter is being heard by a bench comprising Justice B.R. Gavai, who, while hearing a matter seeking president's rule in West Bengal said, "As it is, we are alleged of encroaching upon the parliamentary and executive functions",  an allegation levelled by Dubey.

 

BJP MP Dubey kicked up a row on Saturday criticised the apex court's observations while hearing pleas over amended Waqf law and said  "If one has to go to the Supreme Court for everything, then Parliament and State Assembly should be shut." He also accused the top court of “inciting religious wars in the country”. Dubey also criticised the top court's verdict specifying timeline for governors and president to grant assent to bills.

 

The Bharatiya Janata Party distanced itself from the comments and said they were personal remarks. BJP president J.P. Nadda said the party neither agrees nor does it support such statements.

India