After Judge's Controversial Video, Advocates Association Moves Karnataka HC To Restrain Public, Social Media From Using Videos Of Livestream

The petition was mentioned before a single judge bench of Justice Hemant Chandangoudar, which is likely to hear the matter on Tuesday.

The Association has further sought a direction to Youtube, Facebook, Twitter and others to delete all the videos/ clips/ shorts which have been created using court live proceedings by Youtube channels—Kahale News, Fans Troll, & others or anybody with immediate effect.

Further it is sought that authorities be directed to initiate suitable criminal action against anybody misusing the videos of court proceedings/live streamed videos, in the ends of Justice and Equity.

Recently, two video clips of Justice V Srishananda of the High Court surfaced on social media, in which he was seen making objectionable remarks. In one video, he was seen referring to an area in Bangalore as "Pakistan". In another video, he was seen making objectionable remarks to a woman advocate.

The Supreme Court taking note of the same had directed the Registrar General of the High Court to submit a report to the Supreme Court after seeking administrative directions from the Chief Justice of Karnataka HC. The matter will be next heard on September 25.

Several social media users, including prominent lawyers, criticised the High Court judge for his remarks which were live-streamed.

The petition states that the videos has gained humongous popularity in the view of the public and has given scope for the layman to criticise in an unwarranted manner not only judiciary but also noble profession like advocacy which has its own key role to play in the development of the society. Thus, these videos when circulated are causing harm especially to the younger members of the BAR who are passionately learning the nuances and intricacies of the legal profession by appearing before constitutional courts.

Further it is said, “The young budding lawyers are becoming conscious of the fact that they may be trolled for their submission/arguments and thus creating a great threat to the profession at large especially when we are facing a shortage of good & efficient litigating lawyers.”

It is claimed that the act of the video makers and miscreants misusing the live broadcasting is highly arbitrary, illegal, perverse and unsustainable in the eyes of law.

The plea also says that trolling and live streaming of matrimonial cases is violative of Article 21 of the constitution of India and thus punitive action is called against the erring individuals.

Advocate Trivikram S appeared for the Association.