Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance Of Controversial Remarks Of Karnataka HC Judge, Seeks Report

The Supreme Court on Friday (September 20) took suo motu cognizance of the video clips containing the controversial comments made by a judge of Karnataka High Court during hearings.

A 5-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrahud, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, Surya Kant and Hrishikesh Roy assembled today morning and passed an order seeking a report from the Karnataka High Court.

"The reason we have assembled is because of the gratuitous comments made by a judge of the Karnataka High Court, the videos of which are now getting circulated," CJI told Attorney General for India R Venkataramani.

Recently, two video clips of Justice Vedavyasachar 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.

"Attorney General we may lay down some basic guidelines and seek a report from the secretary general of the HC," CJI told AG R Venkataramani.

The Court 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.

"In this age of social media, we are closely watched, and we have to act accordingly," CJI said.

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

Case Title: IN RE: REMARKS BY HIGH COURT JUDGE DURING COURT PROCEEDINGS [SMW (C) No(s). 9/2024]

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