The Supreme Court has allowed controversial judge Justice CS Karnan of Calcutta High Court to argue a case relating to his own transfer from the Madras High Court, making him possibly the first serving high court judge to do so. A Bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Amitava Roy also allowed the application for discharge of Justice Karnan’s advocate S Gowthaman after taking note of the judge’s December 21, 2016, letter written to Supreme Court Registry seeking permission to argue his own case. “No counter affidavit has been filed on behalf of Justice Karnan. However, a communication dated December 21, 2016 has been received from Justice Karnan intimating that he has decided to appear in person in this case and has requested S Gowthaman, Advocate-on-Record, who was appearing on his behalf, to withdraw his appearance.