Judge Karunakaran to appear before Constitutional Court for possible contempt of court |01 June 2018

Judge Durai Karunakaran will appear before the Constitutional Court on Tuesday June 12, 2018 to take a stand to show cause as to why he should not be dealt with for contempt of court.

This follows an incident in late April when the Constitutional court case filed by lawyer Philippe Boullé against members of the tribunal set up to investigate alleged misconduct by Judge Karunakaran, was adjourned because of an alleged contempt of court by the same Mr Karunakaran, an incident in which he supposedly abused Counsel for the Attorney General in open court.

Mr Karunakaran left his seat during the sitting and walked towards the Counsel for the Attorney General and spoke to him. Seconds later the counsel said Mr Karunakaran had insulted him and the presiding judge Seegobin Nundoo even asked Mr Karunakaran to apologise but he refused. As a result, the presiding judge had to adjourn the session. The other two judges working on this case are Laura Pillay and Melchior Vidot.

If found guilty, Mr Karunakaran will be dealt with for contempt of court.

The main case is set for hearing on September 4, 2018 at 2pm.

Judge Karunakaran was suspended in October 2016 by former President James Michel and his suspension came as a result of the decision of the Constitutional Appointments Authority to refer him to a tribunal of inquiry to investigate his professional conduct.

Meanwhile, the medical cannabis case involving Ralph Volcère and the Minister for Home Affairs and Local Government has been adjourned for June 19, 2018.

As for the case brought forward by Patrick Herminie against Patrick Pillay & Ors following the setting up of the Anti-victimisation committee within the National Assembly, this has been fixed for a whole day hearing on Tuesday June 5, 2018 at 9.30am.