A Supreme Court advocate representing a litigant in the Waqf Act case has approached Attorney General R. Venkataramani, seeking his consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey.
The request follows what the advocate described as “grossly scandalous” remarks made by the parliamentarian, allegedly aimed at undermining the authority and dignity of the Supreme Court of India.
The plea was filed by Advocate Anas Tanveer under Section 15(1)(b) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, in conjunction with Rule 3(c) of the Rules to Regulate Proceedings for Contempt of the Supreme Court, 1975. In his letter to the Attorney General, Tanveer characterised Dubey’s comments as “deeply derogatory and dangerously provocative.”
"I am writing to humbly seek your kind consent for initiating criminal contempt proceedings against Shri Nishikant Dubey, Member of Lok Sabha from the Godda parliamentary constituency in Jharkhand, for public statements that are scandalous, misleading, and aimed at lowering the dignity and authority of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India," Tanveer wrote.
The controversy erupted after Nishikant Dubey launched a scathing attack on the judiciary in the context of the Supreme Court's ongoing hearing on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.
The court had questioned several provisions of the amended legislation—particularly the controversial "Waqf by user" clause—and the Centre responded by stating it would not implement the contentious sections until the next hearing, scheduled for May 5.
Reacting to the court's intervention, Dubey publicly questioned the relevance of Parliament. In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), and in remarks to media outlets, he said, “If the Supreme Court has to make laws, then Parliament should be shut down.” He further escalated the matter by accusing Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna of being responsible for "civil wars" in the country—a remark that sparked widespread outrage.
BJP distances itself from remarks
In the wake of the backlash, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) quickly distanced itself from Dubey’s controversial statements. BJP National President J.P. Nadda, in a statement issued on X, clarified that the comments made by Nishikant Dubey—as well as similar remarks by another BJP MP, Dinesh Sharma—were purely their personal views and did not reflect the stance of the party.
Nadda stated, “The BJP does not endorse or support these comments in any way. All leaders have been directed not to issue such statements.” He reaffirmed the party's unwavering respect for the judiciary, calling it an integral pillar of India’s democracy and a vital guardian of the Constitution.
"The BJP has always accepted the directions and decisions of the judiciary with the utmost respect and sincerity. Courts, including the Supreme Court, are an inseparable part of India’s democratic framework," Nadda emphasised.
The Attorney General is now expected to consider whether to grant consent for contempt proceedings against the BJP MP—a legal prerequisite before such a motion can be formally taken up by the Supreme Court.
The case continues to stir strong political and legal reactions, underscoring the delicate balance between the judiciary and the legislature in India’s democratic setup. Further developments are awaited as the matter proceeds both inside and outside the courtroom.
Also Read: SC inciting religious wars, overstepping limits: Dubey
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