Sanjay Raut Says He Will Appear Before Supreme Court in Contempt Case Over Remarks on CJI

Sanjay Raut Confirms He Will Appear Before Supreme Court

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut has said he will appear before the Supreme Court as directed in criminal contempt proceedings over his remarks concerning Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and the judiciary.

Speaking to news agency PTI on Wednesday, October 28, Raut said he would remain present before the court. He also indicated that he was not fully aware of the proceedings because his lawyers were not present during the hearing.

The development follows the Supreme Court's direction that Raut appear in person at the next hearing on November 17, 2026.

Supreme Court Directs Raut to Appear in Person

A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M. Pancholi passed the direction while hearing a criminal contempt petition filed by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).

The court directed Raut to appear physically at the next hearing, scheduled for 2 pm on November 17. The bench also directed journalist Nikhil Wagle, who is facing proceedings in the same matter, to participate virtually.

The proceedings concern statements and social media posts allegedly made against the CJI and the Supreme Court. The court has not yet delivered a final decision on the contempt allegations.

Why Is Sanjay Raut Facing Contempt Proceedings?

The case stems from remarks attributed to Raut concerning the judiciary and allegations about judges' interactions with political figures.

According to the SCBA's petition, Raut made statements suggesting that judges attended political programmes organised by the ruling party and accepted dinners hosted by chief ministers. The petition also referred to comments concerning photographs allegedly showing judges playing badminton with political figures in London.

The SCBA has argued that these remarks were scandalous and could undermine public confidence in the Supreme Court and its Chief Justice.

These assertions are allegations made in the contempt petition. The court is yet to determine whether the statements amount to criminal contempt.

Controversy Began After CJI Declined Meeting With Opposition Leaders

The controversy emerged after CJI Surya Kant declined a request for a meeting with a delegation of Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

The delegation had sought to raise concerns relating to electoral irregularities and the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

In explaining the refusal, the CJI reportedly referred to the fact that the issues were already pending before the Supreme Court. He said a meeting to discuss matters under judicial consideration would be inconsistent with the principle of separation of powers and established judicial propriety.

Following the decision, Raut made remarks criticising the judiciary, which later became part of the SCBA's contempt petition.

Supreme Court Had Issued Notices on October 16

On October 16, 2026, the Supreme Court issued show-cause notices to Raut and Wagle after considering the SCBA's petition.

The petition was filed after Attorney General R. Venkataramani granted the required consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings under the applicable legal framework.

At the earlier hearing, the court had exempted the two respondents from personal appearance while seeking their explanations.

The latest hearing resulted in a specific direction for Raut to attend the next hearing physically.

Nikhil Wagle Tenders Unconditional Apology

Journalist Nikhil Wagle is also facing contempt proceedings over a social media post directed at the CJI.

During the October 28 hearing, senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for Wagle, informed the bench that her client had tendered an unconditional apology and removed the disputed post.

The apology reportedly expressed regret for the social media message and stated that Wagle did not intend to justify his conduct.

After taking note of the apology, the court directed Wagle to appear virtually at the next hearing. It has not yet finally decided the contempt proceedings against him.

What Is the Supreme Court Bar Association Alleging?

The SCBA has argued that the remarks made by Raut and Wagle could lower the authority of the Supreme Court and undermine respect for the institution.

The association approached the Attorney General for consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings before filing its petition.

Criminal contempt under Indian law includes certain publications or statements that scandalise, or tend to scandalise, a court or lower, or tend to lower, its authority. Whether the statements in this particular case meet that legal threshold remains for the court to determine.

Badminton Photograph Controversy

The contempt petition also refers to claims about judges participating in a badminton event with political figures in London.

However, a separate controversy over photographs circulated online had earlier prompted a clarification from the government's Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check unit. The photographs being shared as evidence of a London event were identified as images from a badminton event held in New Delhi in November 2025.

The distinction is important because claims about judicial conduct must be assessed against verified facts. The allegations in the contempt petition remain subject to judicial consideration.

What Happens Next in the Case?

The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for November 17, 2026, at 2 pm.

The current directions are:

• Sanjay Raut: Must appear physically before the Supreme Court.

• Nikhil Wagle: Permitted to appear virtually for the next hearing after submitting an unconditional apology.

• Supreme Court Bar Association: Continues to pursue its contempt petition.

• Supreme Court: Has not yet delivered a final ruling on the allegations.

The next hearing will allow the court to consider the respondents' explanations and determine the further course of the proceedings.

Key Takeaways

• Sanjay Raut has said he will appear before the Supreme Court as directed.

• The court has ordered him to appear physically on November 17, 2026.

• The case concerns remarks attributed to Raut about CJI Surya Kant and the judiciary.

• The Supreme Court Bar Association initiated the criminal contempt proceedings after obtaining the required consent from the Attorney General.

• Journalist Nikhil Wagle is also facing contempt proceedings over a social media post directed at the CJI.

• Wagle has tendered an unconditional apology and has been permitted to appear virtually at the next hearing.

• The controversy followed the CJI's refusal to meet Opposition leaders over matters reportedly already pending before the court.

• The Supreme Court has not yet issued a final ruling on the contempt allegations.

Bottom Line

Sanjay Raut has confirmed that he will comply with the Supreme Court's direction to appear in person on November 17 in the criminal contempt case concerning his remarks about CJI Surya Kant and the judiciary.

While Nikhil Wagle has submitted an unconditional apology and received permission to attend the next hearing virtually, the proceedings against both respondents remain pending. The Supreme Court will determine the legal implications of the statements as the case progresses.