The Supreme Court has agreed to take up next week a plea filed by advocate Narendra Mishra against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey over his controversial comments targeting the apex court and Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna.
Mishra brought up the matter before a bench comprising Justice BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih. He said he had already written to the Attorney General and the Solicitor General, seeking their consent to initiate contempt proceedings against Dubey, but no action had been taken so far.
Advocate Says Dubey’s Remarks Stirred Public Distrust
The plea highlights that Dubey allegedly blamed CJI Sanjiv Khanna for “civil wars” in India. After his remarks went viral on social media, several users began posting offensive content against the judiciary, the petition stated.
“These statements are false, reckless, and malicious, and they amount to criminal contempt,” said Mishra in his letter to the court. He asked the top court to direct the removal of all derogatory social media posts and videos targeting the judiciary.
Accusations of Undermining Judiciary
Mishra argued that as an elected lawmaker, Dubey had shown complete disregard for the constitutional system and misled the public about the judiciary’s role. He added that Dubey’s claim that the Supreme Court was “inciting religious wars” by agreeing to hear cases, including challenges to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, was an attempt to interfere with justice.
“This is not mere political commentary,” the petition read. “It is a deliberate attempt to intimidate the judiciary, incite public disorder, and delegitimise the institution entrusted with protecting the Constitution.”
Mishra urged the court to take suo motu (on its own) action and start criminal contempt proceedings against Dubey.
More Lawyers Seek Action
Several other lawyers, including Anas Tanwir and Shiv Kumar Tripathi, have also sent letters to Attorney General R. Venkataramani, requesting him to begin contempt proceedings against Dubey. They said his “grossly scandalous remarks” were aimed at damaging the dignity of the Supreme Court.
Advocate Subhash Theekkadan, in a separate plea, has called for contempt action against Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar over his public statements. Theekkadan claimed Dhankhar’s remarks directly attacked the authority and respect of the judiciary.
What Dubey and Dhankhar Said
Dubey, on April 19, said, “If the Supreme Court is going to dictate laws, then Parliament and Assemblies should be shut.” He further added that the Chief Justice was “responsible for civil wars taking place in the country.” He also accused the top court of leading the country toward “anarchy.”
Vice President Dhankhar had also criticized the judiciary recently. He questioned the court’s authority to set deadlines for the President to give assent to state Bills and accused the court of acting like a “super Parliament.” He added, “It cannot fire a nuclear missile at democratic forces.”
Legal Procedure for Contempt Cases
Under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, a private individual can only file a contempt case in the Supreme Court with prior permission from the Attorney General or Solicitor General.
