"Is our judiciary so weak that it is unable to defend itself?" TN Bar Council argues in Madras High Court for criminal action against CS Karnan

The Bar Council of Tamil Nadu has moved a criminal petition in Madras High Court seeking action against former High Court Judge CS Karnan for derogatory posts on social media against women and the judiciary. (Bar Council of Tamil Nadu v. The Director General of Police and Ors.).Justice T Ravindran today heard arguments made by Senior Advocate S Prabhakaran for the Bar Council, before referring the matter to a Division Bench that is already dealing with a Writ Petition moved by the Council on the issue. ."What is this Milord? Our judiciary is it so weak that it is unable to defend itself and its own learned brothers?! That is our unfortunate plight."Senior Advocate Prabakaran argued today..The senior lawyer vehemently contended that despite the High Court's earlier order directing the removal of Karnan's offensive posts, similar posts continued to be uploaded with no action being taken against the controversial Judge..[Breaking] Madras High Court directs blocking of derogatory remarks by former judge CS Karnan on social media."...Even now six posts he has made! I understand he cannot be arrested, at least the person uploading should have been taken action (against)..", Prabakaranan submitted.."Look at the plight of the judges, they are being insulted like anything everyday post is coming, day before yesterday he has posted in Facebook", he added..The Judge responded that the Division Bench could hear the plea more properly, since it was already hearing allied matters..Additional Public Prosecutor M Prabhavati submitted that an FIR had already been registered upon a complaint made by one, Advocate Devika. While the complaint was initially registered under Sections 153 and 509 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 67-A of the Information Technology Act was subsequently added, she informed. She sought time to file a written statement in this regard, but before the other Bench..Expressing his inclination to refer the matter to the Division Bench, Justice Ravindran stated that he would pass orders to this effect..During arguments, Senior Advocate Prabhakaran also made reference to the Supreme Court Order of 2017, which placed an embargo against Justice Karnan from indulging in further activities of the kind deprecated by the Court..Breaking: Supreme Court publishes judgment in Karnan J. case, calls for revisiting process of appointment of judges.In spite of this order, Justice Karnan continued his acts, Prabakaran pointed out. He further submitted, ."Unfortunately all the advocates are seeing it, silently keeping quiet on it and I do not know why the government is keeping quiet on this for such a long time!".On November 10, the Madras High Court issued orders directing that derogatory remarks made by former High Court judge, Justice CS Karnan be blocked from social media. .The Bench of Justices M Sathyanarayanan and R Hemalatha had orally observed:"...it is rather unfortunate (to note that Justice CS Karnan, who had held an important Constitutional post), has gone down to such a level and repeatedly scandalised and made vituperative, obscene and unparliamentary attacks against Judges of the Supreme Court, the High Court and their families..."