Nikhil Wagle has tendered an unconditional apology to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant, four days after posting an expletive-laden message targeting the Chief Justice on social media, as reported in OpIndia. In a letter dated October 15, 2026, Wagle expressed regret over his October 11 post, describing it as an emotional reaction and requesting that the matter not be pursued further.
The apology follows a legal notice issued by Supreme Court Advocate-on-Record Amita Sachdeva, who demanded that Wagle delete the post and issue an unconditional public apology, warning that she would seek the Attorney General for India’s consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings before the Supreme Court.
The controversy began after reports emerged on October 11 that CJI Surya Kant had declined a request by INDIA bloc leaders for a meeting ahead of their planned march to the Supreme Court on October 12.
Reacting to the development, Wagle posted “Fuck you CJI!” on X.
Wagle Cites “Anguish and Frustration” in Apology
In his letter to the Attorney General for India dated October 15, Wagle said he had been following videos of the developments unfolding in New Delhi and had also read a statement attributed to senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who reportedly said he had lost trust in the Supreme Court.
Wagle claimed that he reacted out of “anguish and frustration” before making the post.
“I have since deleted it, and I do not seek to justify it,” he wrote.
Phat ke flower ho gayi Wagle ki 😂 and these guys mock Savarkar https://t.co/aDSzID4yaT
— Rahul Roushan (@rahulroushan) October 15, 2026
Seeking to explain his conduct, Wagle invoked his nearly five decades in public life, asserting that he had never used abusive language in his speeches or writings and that the post did not reflect his usual manner of expression.
He also stated that he was not a member of any political party and professed his belief in the Constitution of India and the philosophy of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Wagle subsequently tendered an unconditional apology to the CJI and the Supreme Court, stating that he held the institution in the highest esteem.
However, his letter also included a request to the Attorney General to consider the circumstances surrounding the post, along with his expression of regret, and refrain from pursuing the matter further.
Legal Notice Warned of Criminal Contempt Proceedings
The apology came after Sachdeva issued a legal notice to Wagle on October 12 over his October 11 post.
The notice demanded that Wagle delete the post and issue an unconditional public apology within 24 hours of receiving it. It warned that failure to comply would compel Sachdeva to seek the requisite consent of the Attorney General for India to pursue criminal contempt proceedings before the Supreme Court.
In a public post addressing Wagle, Sachdeva wrote, “Mr. Nikhil Wagle, a Legal Notice has been sent to you via email concerning your objectionable and abusive post targeting the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, ‘Fuck you CJI!’, published on 11 October 2026. You are called upon to delete the post and tender an unconditional public apology within 24 hours of receipt of the notice. Failure to comply will compel me to seek the requisite consent of the Ld. Attorney General for India and pursue appropriate criminal contempt proceedings before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, in accordance with law. The freedom of speech is not a licence to abuse the judiciary.”
The email accompanying the notice reiterated the demand for compliance within 24 hours and warned of further legal action.
Mr. Nikhil Wagle @waglenikhil,
A Legal Notice has been sent to you via email concerning your objectionable and abusive post targeting the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, “Fuck you CJI!”, published on 11 October 2026.
You are called upon to delete the post and tender an unconditional public apology within 24 hours of receipt of the notice.
Failure to comply will compel me to seek the requisite consent of the Ld. Attorney General for India and pursue appropriate criminal contempt proceedings before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, in accordance with law.
The freedom of speech is not a licence to abuse the judiciary.
Amita Sachdeva
Advocate-on-Record
Supreme Court of India— Amita Sachdeva, Advocate (@SachdevaAmita) October 12, 2026
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