Mamata Banerjee gets contempt notice over remarks on Supreme Court verdict in SSC scam case

Public defiance of Supreme Court order

The notice accused Banerjee of making statements that directly undermine the authority of the apex court during a public address on April 8. In her remarks, the Chief Minister challenged the termination of jobs, stating, "Who has the right to take anyone’s job? No one… Our Plan A is ready, B is ready, C is ready, D is ready, and E is ready… You can put me in jail for saying this. But I don’t care."

Banerjee also alleged a conspiracy behind the court’s decision, claiming it was aimed at "destroying the education system" and branding qualified teachers as "thieves" and "ineligible."

Allegations of undermining Judiciary

The notice stated that Banerjee's statements amount to a "wilful, designed and well-thought attack" on the Supreme Court’s authority and are in "clear contempt" of the judicial process. It accuses her of encouraging non-compliance with the top court’s ruling and attempting to sway public opinion against the judgment.

Demands and legal consequences

The legal notice demands that Banerjee:

• Direct state authorities to fully comply with the Supreme Court’s April 3 judgment.
• Refrain from making any further public statements suggesting non-compliance.
• Issue an unconditional public apology to the Supreme Court.

Failure to comply, the notice warns, could result in legal action and contempt proceedings under Article 129 of the Constitution and the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.

This development adds a new legal dimension to the ongoing political and administrative fallout from the SSC recruitment scam, placing the state government under renewed scrutiny.