HC says advocate facing action for interview, not for his letter to CJI

Justice Swaminathan bench refers matter to CJ; lawyers in Madurai, Chennai & Nagai stage stir

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Madurai

THE Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday clarified that the proceedings initiated against advocate S Vanchinathan, who has accused Justice G R Swaminathan of acting with caste bias while discharging his judicial duties, was based on his interviews on social media and had nothing to do with his petition to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) against the judge.

A division bench comprising justices G R Swaminathan and K Rajasekar, which initiated the proceedings last week, directed the Registry to place the matter before the Chief Justice of the Madras HC.

On July 24, the bench summoned Vanchinathan and asked him if he stood by his accusations against Justice Swaminathan. The bench further remarked that his action prima facie amounted to contempt.