Mujahid Nafees, convener of the Minority Coordination Committee (Gujarat) and a petitioner in a Waqf-related case before the Supreme Court, has written to Attorney General of India R. Venkataramani seeking consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey for his recent remarks against the judiciary.
In his letter dated April 21, Nafees accused Dubey, the Lok Sabha MP from Godda (Jharkhand), of making "derogatory and scandalizing" statements against the Supreme Court, which allegedly undermine public confidence in the judiciary. The complaint cites Dubey’s interview with ANI on April 19, where he reportedly said, "In this country, only and only the Supreme Court is responsible for inciting religious wars" and accused the Court of "taking the country towards anarchy."
Dubey also allegedly questioned the judiciary’s impartiality in cases involving religious disputes, such as the Ram Temple, Krishna Janmabhoomi, and Gyanvapi Mosque, while controversially stating on social media: "If the Supreme Court is to make laws, then Parliament should be shut down."
Nafees argued that these remarks, made by a sitting MP, amount to "gross interference in the administration of justice" and violate the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. He urged the Attorney General to grant sanction for initiating legal action.
The letter includes media reports from Hindustan Times, Livemint, The Hindu, and ANI as evidence. Legal experts suggest that if the AG grants consent, the matter could be taken up by the Supreme Court.
Dubey, known for his outspoken criticism of the judiciary, has not yet responded to the complaint. The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of parliamentary conduct and judicial independence.
Under Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act, consent from the AG or the concerned court is mandatory before initiating criminal contempt proceedings against individuals for scandalizing or obstructing justice.
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