Sanjay Raut submits explanation in SC contempt case, says ‘we expect justice’

NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said he respected the Supreme Court and would continue to seek justice from it, after the apex court issued show-cause notices to him and journalist Nikhil Wagle over remarks targeting Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and the judiciary.

“The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country. When it delivers a judgment, whether we agree with it or not, we say that it is the court's decision and must be respected,” Raut said in Thane.

He added that if the Supreme Court or any other court believed someone's remarks amounted to contempt, it was their duty to respect the court and apologise. “But what wrong have I said? Many people have previously spoken about judges travelling to London, but it has now been revealed that the claim was false. No one had earlier clarified or explained this to you. We have now submitted an explanation regarding our conduct,” Raut said.

He reiterated that his party respected the Supreme Court and expected justice from it, alleging that the Shiv Sena and its election symbol had been taken away from his faction. “Our party, Shiv Sena, and its symbol were stolen from us. For four to four-and-a-half years, we have been waiting for justice at the Supreme Court's doors. Two Election Commissioners and four Chief Justices have changed, but we are still not getting justice. We will continue to appeal for justice before you,” he said.

The Supreme Court on Friday issued show-cause notices to Raut and Wagle, asking why criminal contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them over their remarks targeting the CJI and the judiciary.

“When personal liberty or any rights are jeopardised, each one of them has, in the past also, come to the court seeking rescue. Probably the courts have never lagged behind in protecting those rights. And if the same people condemn, criticise, take the courts left and right, it is very unfortunate. Very, very unfortunate,” CJI Kant observed.

“May better sense prevail. We can only pray,” he added.

The proceedings stem from remarks made by Raut and Wagle after the CJI declined a request from a delegation of Opposition leaders, led by Rahul Gandhi, to meet him personally over concerns regarding the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Wagle had posted an abusive remark directed at the CJI on social media platform X after the decision became public. He later deleted the post and tendered an unconditional apology.

Raut, meanwhile, questioned the refusal to meet the Opposition delegation, alleging that judges attended political programmes organised by the ruling BJP and participated in social engagements with political leaders. He also claimed that around 80 Supreme Court and high court judges had been seen playing badminton with political leaders in London.