New Delhi: The Supreme Court has warned of contempt action against any person attempting to influence judges of the court, after the newly elevated Justice Indira Banerjee told an open court about a bid to influence her in an ongoing corporate dispute.

Any attempt to influence the judges would be viewed seriously, Justice Banerjee told lawyers during the hearing of the corporate dispute relating to a hotel. Although the judge made the disclosure on Thursday it became the subject of animated discussion in the Bar on Friday.

Justice Banerjee was sitting in a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra when the incident happened. Justice Mishra told the court that an unidentified person had called her up in an attempt to influence her.

After the incident, Justice Banerjee discussed the matter with Justice Mishra and offered to recuse herself from the case. However, Justice Mishra advised her against such action.

He told the court that some people in the Bar had the habit of dropping names of judges, in a way misleading litigants about the outcome of a case. Any attempt to influence the judges would invite contempt of court action, Justice Mishra said.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan confirmed the incident and told The Telegraph that an attempt had been made to influence Justice Banerjee. Divan said Justice Banerjee did not know the identity of the caller or on whose behalf he was seeking to influence her in the case.

After Justice Mishra said he had advised Justice Banerjee from recusing herself, Divan told the court he agreed with Justice Mishra, saying such a move would send a wrong message and embolden certain elements.

Justice Banerjee, who hails from Bengal, was administered the oath of office as a Supreme Court judge on August 7 amidst a row over the pecking order in which the President had issued the warrant of appointment for three judges that included Justices K.M. Joseph and Vineet Saran.

There was no departure from the serial numbers of the warrant of appointment issued by the President. The CJI had first administered the oath to Justice Banerjee, followed by Justices Saran and Joseph.

The swearing-in had whipped up a political row as both Justices Banerjee and Saran had been recommended for elevation by the collegium on July 16 this year, whereas Justice Joseph's name had been suggested on January 11.

The Centre, after withholding the name of Justice K.M. Joseph for elevation, had agreed to his elevation only on August 6 along with the two other judges.