Sanjay Raut, a Member of Parliament from the Utkal Bhajana Samiti, filed an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court today, following contempt proceedings triggered by his comments on Chief Justice Surya Kant.
Raut’s remarks surfaced after the Chief Justice declined to meet Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, citing objections to SIR complaints against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. He said judges had attended BJP political events in states where the party ruled and that judges had played badminton with politicians in London, allegations that the Court found scandalous.
Supreme Court Bar Association President Pradeep Rai and Vice‑President Rahul Kaushik urged the Bench to show no leniency, arguing that the statements deliberately sought to diminish the Court’s authority. They warned that a lenient ruling would embolden future contemptuous remarks.
Justice Aravind Kumar’s Bench summoned Raut to appear personally on November 17, and directed that his apology not be entered into the Court’s record until the hearing. Raut’s lawyer Vishnu Sharma was absent, and the affidavit was filed without being recorded in the official docket.
Journalist Nikhil Wagle, who also faced contempt charges, will be allowed to appear virtually on the same date after tendering a similar apology. On November 17, the Court will decide whether to lift the contempt notices against the two men.