Justice Karnan refuses medical test

Calcutta High Court judge Justice C.S. Karnan on Thursday declined to undergo a mental health check-up as ordered by the Supreme Court, telling a team of doctors he is “absolutely normal” with a “stable mind”.

Justice Karnan, who is on a warpath with the apex court in connection with a contempt case he is facing, also told the doctors that for holding a medical examination with regard to a person's mental health, the guardian's consent was required and he had none in Kolkata.

A four-member team from Kolkata’s Pavlov Hospital, a state-run mental health hospital, accompanied by around 20 policemen visited the judge’s residence to implement the Supreme Court order but was turned back after remaining there for about two hours.

The SC had on May 1 ordered medical examination of Karnan by a board of doctors to be set up by a government hospital in Kolkata to evaluate his mental health with police support. The order was given after the defiant judge failed to appear before the apex court.

“I declined to avail the medical treatment since I am absolutely normal and with a stable mind,” Karnan gave in writing to the doctors after refusing to undergo a medical check-up. “Further, it is my strong view that the Supreme Court order amounts to an insult and harassment to a Dalit Judge (myself),” he said in a communication addressed to the chairman of the medical board from Calcutta Pavlov Hospital.

He raised the issue of no guardian being present with him. “As my family members are not here, there is no such consent. So any such medical test cannot be held,” Justice Karnan said.

I declined to avail the medical treatment since I am absolutely normal. It is my strong view that the Supreme Court order amounts to an insult and harassment of a Dalit Judge — Justice CS Karnan