New Delhi, Nov. 7 -- The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office bearers to respond to a petition seeking contempt of court action against them for publishing an objectionable post against Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant. A bench of justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M Pancholi said, "Independence of the judiciary is not a matter of political convenience," as it issued notice on a petition filed by advocate Vineet Jindal seeking suo motu contempt action over a post published on "X" that was later deleted. The bench said, "Only the Constitution is supreme. No individual or political organisation stands above it," as it emphasised that the authority of the court rests on the rule of law and does not require "political endorsement". "Any attempt to undermine it needs to be dealt with an iron hand." The post targeted the CJI and sought his resignation, and it appeared in the backdrop of the Opposition parties' protest seeking removal of Chief Election Commissioner and challenge to the special intensive revision (SIR). Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had even sought a meeting with the CJI that was refused. The KPCC appeared through its lawyer and informed the bench that the post was made by a person in the media wing and was done without the approval of KPCC president Sunny Joseph. The post was soon deleted, the person removed and an unconditional apology was issued by the committee. The bench observed, "We have to examine whether it (apology) has come from the pen or the heart," even as it exempted the personal appearance of office bearers on the next date of hearing. Jindal said that the post was viewed by more than 10 million people, causing widespread damage to the reputation and authority of the judiciary. He pointed out that such a post by a political party can undermine public confidence in the institution. The bench said, "Our judgments are always open to criticism, but freedom of expression cannot be a shield for intimidation or interference with the administration of justice." The court said it will examine whether the material amounts to contempt of court and sought the assistance of Attorney General R Venkataramani....