Full Breakdown
Supreme Court Issues Contempt Notices to Shiv Sena Member of Parliament (MP) Sanjay Raut and Journalist Nikhil Wagle
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 16 2026 the Supreme Court of India issued show-cause notices to Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut and journalist Nikhil Wagle in a criminal contempt proceeding. The notices followed a petition by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) invoking Article 129 of the Constitution and Sections 2(c)(i) and 15(1)(b) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. The bench comprised Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.
Background & Context
The contempt petition arose from remarks after CJI Surya Kant declined a delegation led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi seeking a personal meeting on concerns about the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- Nikhil Wagle posted “**** you CJI!” on X on October 11 2026, later deleting it and apologising as an “emotional outburst.”
- Sanjay Raut claimed judges attend BJP political programmes and that chief ministers organise dinners for judges.
The SCBA obtained the Attorney General’s consent to proceed, granted on October 15 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
- Chief Justice Surya Kant said attacks on the judiciary are “deeply unfortunate” and warned that Raut’s allegations about judges attending BJP events are “not based on any facts.”
- SCBA President Pradeep Rai warned that ignoring such remarks could erode public confidence in the administration of justice.
- Rahul Gandhi described the Supreme Court as “the last ray of hope” for citizens whose petitions to other institutions have been rejected.
Data & Statistics
- Raut’s claim of “80 judges” playing badminton was refuted by a Delhi High Court order (June 19 2026), which identified the photographs as from a November 2025 event at Thyagaraj Stadium, New Delhi, not London.
- The SCBA’s petition cited Section 15(1)(b) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, and Rule 3(c) of the 1975 Rules governing contempt proceedings.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Badminton photograph dispute – Raut asserted the images showed a London event involving judges and political leaders; the Delhi High Court order contradicted this, confirming the images were from a New Delhi programme.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are giving a show cause ... as of now we are granting exemption for personal appearance. Let us see,” — CJI Kant
- “When lakhs of people went to the doors of the Supreme Court under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi ji, their only purpose was that you are the last ray of hope.” — Rahul Gandhi
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The Supreme Court’s show-cause notices require Raut and Wagle to explain their conduct before any contempt finding is rendered, underscoring the tension between political criticism of the judiciary and the legal safeguards protecting court authority.