New Delhi, Nov. 7 -- The Supreme Court of India on Friday issued a contempt notice to office bearers of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) regarding a post targeting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant last month. 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 court held. The offending post was published by INC Keralam on October 12 which addressed the CJI as "Dear Surya Kant" and said, "If law and order is not your domain, resign now. We will find your replacement who can handle it." The post appeared in the backdrop of the Opposition parties' protest seeking removal of Chief Election Commissioner and challenge to the special intensive revision (SIR). The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had even sought a meeting with 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 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. The court was even inclined to appoint amicus curiae while indicating the names of senior advocates Arvind Datar and Siddharth Agarwal. Jindal wrote a letter to the CJI on October 13 seeking action against the KPCC post. His letter was converted into a writ petition. Following this post, the two bar associations of the Supreme Court - Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association (SCOARA) had condemned the demand for CJI's resignation. The two associations had issued resolutions stating that such a statement borders on contempt as it undermines public confidence in the judiciary and amounts to interference in the administration of justice. Pursuant to this, SCBA joint secretary Meneesh Dubey had issued a legal notice to KPCC President Sunny Joseph on October 16 seeking response on the said post. Subsequently, on October 22, KPCC President responded to the legal notice by stating that the post was published by one Vijay Thottathil of the KPCC Media Cell "without the prior knowledge, approval or consultation of the KPCC leadership". Joseph in his reply said, "Neither I nor the leadership had authorised him to demand the resignation of the CJI or to suggest that the organisation would find a replacement." Though it admitted that the official account of the party was used for such an "unauthorised communication", it stated that it does not establish that its contents were approved by the leadership. Thottathil has since been removed from the position and called upon to issue a public apology for the said publication....