Madras HC Grants bail to Ex-Judge held for uploading abusive videos [READ ORDER]

The Madras High Court on Tuesday, 23 March 2021 granted bail to former High Court Judge C.S. Karnan. He was held for uploading abusive videos threatening the higher judiciary and their family members. 

The bail was granted by Justice J V. Bharthidasan who considered the facts that the ex-judge has already spent 110 days in custody, and has already given his formal written apology. 

Medical ground was also one of the bases on which bail was granted as he has developed some complications after being infected by the COVID-19.

Ten FIRs have been filed against the former judge for 33 videos by the Chennai police station. The police invoked offences under Section 153, 509, 228, 294(b), 506(ii) r/w 120 B of IPC. Various provisions from ITA, Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Woman Harassment and the Indecent representation Act have also been filed. 

In the videos uploaded by the Former Judge, he was abusive and even went to the extent of threatening families. Karnan was arrested on December 2 2020, following the directions passed by the bar council of Tamil Nadu demanding action against the ex-judge. The previous bail application was dismissed by the Court as his argument on the same was, making the videos out of psychological stress and depression. 

However, this is not new when it comes to the background of the former judge. He happens to be the first sitting High Court judge to be held guilty of contempt of court. Karnan had gone into hiding back then only to be arrested a month later. 

In October 2020, the offending and abusive video had surfaced, after which a group of women lawyers of Madras High court had filed a complaint. Even after getting his videos blocked by the court, he was persistent which had finally led to his arrest. 

[READ ORDER]