Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee apologizes to CJI for post on ‘X’

The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has issued an unconditional apology to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant for a post on his official account ‘X’.

Responding to a legal notice issued by Supreme Court lawyer Meneesh Dubey, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said the post was published by Vijay Thottathil without prior approval or consultation with KPCC management. “Neither I nor the management authorized him to demand the resignation of the Honorable Chief Justice or to suggest that the organization find a replacement.

Mr. Thottathil, Mr. Joseph said, was removed from the relevant post and asked for a public apology. The KPCC apology was independent of the public apology sought from Mr. Thottathila, Mr. Joseph clarified.

KPCC disagreed with the language used in that position, he said. “The demand for resignation and the proposal to find a replacement for the Honorable Chief Justice were inappropriate and should not have appeared on the official party platform.”

The KPCC emphasized its respect for the Constitution, the independence of the judiciary and the constitutional office of the Chief Justice of India, stating that this post does not represent the policy, considered opinion or authorized position of the KPCC and the Indian National Congress.

KPCC, Mr. Joseph said, rejected and retracted the statements in question.

While the post was not authorized, the incident prompted “an investigation into the arrangements governing access to the account, the authority vested in its operators and the approval procedures applicable to official communications,” KPCC reported.

The exam would cover drafting, revising and publishing a paper; persons involved at each stage; account permissions and devices used; and any relevant prior instructions or internal correspondence. Relevant electronic records, access logs, approval records and internal communications would be preserved. “The operational involvement of an external professional agency in KPCC’s digital communications does not obviate the need for effective oversight,” said Mr. Joseph.

KPCC recognized the difference between reasoned criticism of court decisions and language that does not maintain the dignity expected of public discourse.

The response denied any suggestion that the KPCC president directed, approved or endorsed the post. At the same time, it accepted the need to investigate the failure of KPCC’s communication controls and to take appropriate measures against recurrence.

The message on ‘X’ was published apparently in response to Justice Surya Kant’s rejection of a meeting request by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and leaders of the INDIA bloc.

Published – 27 Oct 2026 22:03 IST