SC chastises Kerala HC for passing contrary order on Malankara church case

Supreme court heavily criticised the HC judge while considering a plea filed by the Orthodox church for not implementing the Supreme court order pronounce in 2017 on Kandanad church dispute.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday came down heavily on Kerala high court judge and the chief secretary of the state in connection with Malankara church dispute case.

The apex court asked what does the high court judge Hariprasad think of himself and what authority does he have to overrule the Supreme Court verdict.

HC judge might face legal action over this, said SC justice Arun Mishra.

Supreme court heavily criticised the HC judge while considering a plea filed by the Orthodox church for not implementing the Supreme court order pronounced in July 2017 on Kandanad church dispute.

In the verdict, the apex court had allowed the Orthodox church to use the church building for prayers.

Meanwhile, the high court judge Hariprasad issued an interim order allowing the Jacobite faction to use the same church building. The orthodox church filed a plea at the SC questioning the HC order.

Following that, the SC cancelled the interim order of the High Court.

SC asked whether justice Hariprasad knows what is judicial responsibility and observed that he might face action if he continues to behave like this.

Justice Arun Mishra also warned the judges of Kerala high court not to overrule Supreme Court verdicts. He also rebuked chief secretary of Kerala for the same.

Further Justice Mishra observed that SC verdicts in Kerala are being violated repeatedly and he has several personal experiences besides this church dispute case.

"Kerala is part of India. If apex court orders are not implemented in the state, the chief secretary might face legal action for contempt of court," said the SC.