Dropping the issue since they have apologised: Lawyer who sent notice to Congress for tweet about CJI

Supreme Court lawyer Meenesh Dubey will not be filing a criminal contempt of court case against the Kerala unit of the Congress party for their social media post against Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant.

This development comes in light of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) tendering an unconditional apology to CJI Kant over a tweet effectively calling for his resignation.

The apology was submitted by KPCC President Sunny Joseph in a formal reply dated October 22 to a legal notice issued by Dubey, who is also the joint secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).

When asked whether he would be filing a contempt of court petition, Dubey replied in the negative.

"Since they have apologised, I will not be pursuing the matter further," Dubey told Bar & Bench.

Dubey had earlier threatened to initiate criminal contempt of court proceedings after a post appeared on October 12 from the official X handle (@INCKerala) stating: "Dear Surya Kant, If law and order is not your domain, resign now. We will find your replacement who can handle it."

In his reply, KPCC clarified that the post was drafted and published by party worker Vijay Thottathil without the leadership's knowledge, consent, or consultation. Joseph confirmed that Thottathil had been immediately stripped of his responsibilities and was instructed to issue a public apology.

The party also undertook to publish its official clarification and apology on its public social media channels.