The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Kerala High Court in a challenge to the contempt proceedings launched against IPS officer Jacob Thomas..The matter came up before a Bench of Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan..Jacob Thomas, an IPS officer serving in Kerala, had filed the challenge after the Kerala High Court had initiated contempt proceedings against him for making allegations against two judges in a complaint addressed to the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC)..The High Court had initiated suo motu contempt proceedings after finding that Thomas had, in the complaint, allegedly asked the CVC to initiate an inquiry against two judges of the High Court..Denying these charges, the petitioner stated that the complaint was not against the High Court judges. Their names only found mention in the letter for the purpose of showing that they heard certain high profile matters. His complaint to the CVC was against the prosecution, which according to him, was not pursuing high profile cases of corruption involving politicians and bureaucrats, in a proper manner..Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that he should not be subjected to such proceedings. He clarified that Jacob’s statement was not regarding the judges, but his own system. Dave also expressed his dismay at the manner in which public prosecutors are appointed through political influence..The apex court, while hearing the matter today, observed that the High Court should not be so “touchy.”.The Bench observed that Thomas’ statements did not necessarily amount to contempt of court. It was observed that the intent behind his statement was to seek improvement in the system. It also opined that a clarificatory affidavit from Thomas was enough for the High Court to dispose of the case..The Court, after hearing the matter, issued notice to the Kerala High Court, and stayed the contempt proceedings initiated against Thomas.
The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Kerala High Court in a challenge to the contempt proceedings launched against IPS officer Jacob Thomas..The matter came up before a Bench of Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan..Jacob Thomas, an IPS officer serving in Kerala, had filed the challenge after the Kerala High Court had initiated contempt proceedings against him for making allegations against two judges in a complaint addressed to the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC)..The High Court had initiated suo motu contempt proceedings after finding that Thomas had, in the complaint, allegedly asked the CVC to initiate an inquiry against two judges of the High Court..Denying these charges, the petitioner stated that the complaint was not against the High Court judges. Their names only found mention in the letter for the purpose of showing that they heard certain high profile matters. His complaint to the CVC was against the prosecution, which according to him, was not pursuing high profile cases of corruption involving politicians and bureaucrats, in a proper manner..Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that he should not be subjected to such proceedings. He clarified that Jacob’s statement was not regarding the judges, but his own system. Dave also expressed his dismay at the manner in which public prosecutors are appointed through political influence..The apex court, while hearing the matter today, observed that the High Court should not be so “touchy.”.The Bench observed that Thomas’ statements did not necessarily amount to contempt of court. It was observed that the intent behind his statement was to seek improvement in the system. It also opined that a clarificatory affidavit from Thomas was enough for the High Court to dispose of the case..The Court, after hearing the matter, issued notice to the Kerala High Court, and stayed the contempt proceedings initiated against Thomas.
