Justice C S Karnan of the Madras High Court, who courted controversy by staying the CJI’s order transferring him to Calcutta High Court, on Tuesday admitted that he had issued an “erroneous” order due to his “mental frustration resulting in the loss of his mental balance.”
In a letter to the Chief Justice of India and two Supreme Court judges – Justices J S Khehar and R Banumathi- Justice Karnan claimed he was “disturbed” due to various incidents where he was “ridiculed” by some judges due to which he was frustrated.
“On February 15, 2016, I had sent an erroneous order due to my mental frustration resulting in loss of mental balance since I was disturbed through various incidents,” Justice Karnan said.
In his letter, he also said that “hereafter, I will still continue to foster a harmonious attitude to one and all, and will appreciate your kind reciprocation and oblige.”
He gave two instances of harrassment and “ridicule” against him to buttress his point and said he had sent a complaint to the Chairman of National Commission of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and other high dignitaries three years ago.
The media had reported the incident and “urged me to reveal the names of the Judges who indulged in such ugly pranks but I refused to do so only to uphold the sanctity of the judiciary and also maintain communal harmony,” he said.
Justice Karnan had on February 15 stayed his transfer order, a development which took place after the apex court had asked the Chief Justice of Madras High Court not to assign any judicial work to him.
The same day the apex court had suspended Justice Karnan’s order and made it clear that all administrative and judicial orders passed by him after the issuance of proposal of his transfer from Madras High Court to Calcutta High Court shall remain stayed till further orders.
The apex court had passed the directions on an application moved by the Registrar of Madras High Court, who is also private secretary to the Chief Justice, seeking an order to restrain Justice Karnan from doing any judicial work.