SC records Nikhil Wagle’s apology, directs Sanjay Raut to appear physically in contempt case

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday recorded journalist Nikhil Wagle’s unconditional apology over a social media post against Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and directed him to appear virtually at the next hearing in a criminal contempt case. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut was directed to appear physically on November 17.

A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M Pancholi was hearing contempt proceedings initiated on a petition by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) against Wagle and Raut over their social media comments concerning the CJI.

Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for Wagle, told the bench that he had deleted the post and tendered an unconditional apology to the court and the CJI.

“I tender my sincere, unconditional and unqualified apology to this Hon’ble Court and to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India for the post made by me on November 11 on my X handle,” she read from the apology.

The bench directed Wagle to appear virtually at the next hearing, clarifying that his physical presence could be required if necessary.

During the hearing, senior advocate Rahul Kaushik, appearing for the SCBA, referred to a Delhi High Court order concerning alleged misinformation that judges and political leaders had participated in a badminton event in London.

The controversy involved photographs from a badminton tournament held at Delhi’s Thyagaraj Stadium in November 2025 that were allegedly circulated online to falsely suggest that judges and political leaders had played together in London in June 2026. The Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check Unit and the Union Law Ministry had clarified that the photographs were from the Delhi event.

Regarding Raut, the bench noted that his reply affidavit was not available on record and directed the Registry to verify its filing. It also observed that no appearance had been entered on his behalf and ordered him to remain physically present on November 17.

The SCBA petition alleges that Wagle posted an expletive against the CJI after he declined to meet a delegation of Opposition leaders led by Rahul Gandhi. It also accuses Raut of making scandalous allegations against the CJI and other judges.

The matter will be taken up after the Diwali vacation.