"Will Pass Short Order": Supreme Court Refuses To Entertain PIL Against Nishikant Dubey Over Remarks Against CJI

The matter was heard by a Bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar.

Advocate Vishal Tiwari, appearing in person as the petitioner, urged the Court to take cognizance of Dubey’s alleged statements, which he described as not only contemptuous but also hateful and provocative.

Tiwari submitted, “Apart from the scandalising statement, it is also hateful and provocative. Law is there…”

CJI Khanna, while acknowledging the submissions, stated, “I understand. We will be passing a short order, but we will not be entertaining it. However, we will be expressing…”

Tiwari requested the Bench to ensure that the matter does not appear to be closed with a clean chit, to which CJI Khanna assured, “No, it will not be.”

The petitioner also pointed out that the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the legal fraternity had condemned the remarks, to which the CJI responded, “Don’t worry. We will pass a short order.”

Before concluding, Tiwari sought liberty to take further steps if required, and CJI Khanna assured, “Whatever is required to be done, we will do.”

The short order is expected to reflect the Court's disapproval of the remarks while declining to initiate contempt proceedings formally.

About the PIL

The petition, moved by Advocate Vishal Tiwari, invokes the Supreme Court’s contempt jurisdiction under Article 129 of the Constitution and Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. The petitioner alleges that the comments made by the BJP MP during an interview with news agency ANI on April 19, 2025, scandalize the judiciary and amount to criminal contempt of court.

"That today the hate and provocative Speech has reached up to such extent that the political parties and leaders are not sparing the Judiciary and Judges. Recently a Very provocative, Hateful, Scandalizing Statement has been given by a Member of Parliament (lok sabha) Mr. Nishikant Dubey from Godda Parliamentary Constituency in Jharkhand State. The Specific Scandalizing, derogatory, Contemptuous and Provocative Statement wasC made against the Chief Justice of India Honourable Mr. Justice Sanjiv Khanna, and also against the Highest Judicial Institution of this Country Supreme Court of India and Judicial System. on 19-4-2025 the member of Parliament during an Video Interview to a News Agency ANI (Asian News International) made very Scandalising and Contemptuous Statements Against Chief Justice of India and Supreme Court. the Reporter was asking the Member of Parliament his comments on the Hearing going in relation to the Waqf Amendment Act in Supreme Court of India and Disturbances in West Bengal over the protest," the PIL read.

According to the petition, Dubey stated in Hindi:
“Is desh mein jitne bhi grah yudh ho rahe hain uske jimmedar keval yahan ke Chief Justice of India Sanjeev Khanna sahab hain.”
(“The Chief Justice of India Sanjeev Khanna is solely responsible for all the civil wars happening in the country.”)

In another remark, he is alleged to have said:
“Is desh mein dharmik yudh bhadkane ke liye keval aur keval Supreme Court jimmedar hai.”
(“Only and only the Supreme Court is responsible for inciting religious wars in this country.”)

He is also accused of stating: “Show me the face, will show you the law,” in reference to the Supreme Court’s conduct, which the petitioner claims reflects a mocking tone toward the judicial institution.

The current PIL has been filed on the basis of those developments, particularly the recent remarks allegedly made by the MP.

The PIL underscores that such statements by an elected representative not only lower the authority of the court but also have the potential to erode public confidence in the judicial system. It seeks action to uphold the dignity and independence of the judiciary, warning that failure to address such conduct may embolden similar attacks and disrupt public order.