MHC Judge recuses from contempt petition against RS Bharathi

Justice Sunder Mohan of the Madras High Court (MHC) has recused himself from hearing a criminal contempt petition filed by political commentator and YouTuber ‘Savukku’ Shankar against DMK organizing secretary RS Bharathi. The petition’s primary focus was to determine the maintainability of the contempt charges brought against Bharathi. The criminal contempt petition had been listed before a division bench of the Madras High Court, comprising Justice SS Sundar and Justice Sunder Mohan, with the aim of deliberating on the validity of the petition. However, Justice Sunder Mohan opted to step down from presiding over the case. During the proceedings, the counsel for the petitioner, P Vijendran, was informed by Justice Sunder Mohan of his decision to recuse himself from the matter. Consequently, the bench directed the petitioner to approach another bench for further consideration of the contempt petition against RS Bharathi.