'No one can call any part of territory of India as Pakistan': Indian Chief Justice
During a recent court hearing, Indian Justice Srishananda referred to a muslim majority area of Bengaluru as “Pakistan” during a landlord-tenant dispute
The Indian Supreme court today dropped its legal proceedings against Karnataka High Court Judge Justice Vedavyasachar Srishananda after he publicly apologised for his controversial statements during court sessions, says NDTV.
During a recent court hearing, Indian Justice Srishananda referred to a muslim majority area of Bengaluru as "Pakistan" during a landlord-tenant dispute.
He also made misogynistic comments to a female lawyer.
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His comments went viral on social media, prompting the Indian Supreme Court to seek a report from the Karnataka High Court.
The incident has been captured on video, including a second incident where Srishanananda is hear speaking to another female lawyer that she seemed to know a lot about the "opposition party", so much so that she might be able to reveal the colour of their undergarments.
"No one can call any part of territory of India as Pakistan," Chief Justice Chandrachud said. "It is fundamentally against the territorial integrity of the nation. The answer to sunlight is more sunlight and not to suppress what happens in court. The answer is not to close it down."
The Supreme Court had taken up the case on its own and had sought a report from the Karnataka High Court over the controversial remarks.
A five-judge bench led by CJI Chandrachud, along with Justices S Khanna, B R Gavai, S Kant, and H Roy, had on September 20 expressed the need for establishing clear guidelines for constitutional court judges regarding their remarks in court.
"Casual observational may indicate personal biases especially when perceived to be directed at a certain gender or community. Thus one must be wary of making patriarchal or misogynistic comments. We express our serious concern about observations on a certain gender or a community and such observations are liable to be construed in a negative light. We hope and trust that the responsibilities entrusted to all stakeholders are discharged without bias and caution," CJI Chandrachud said today.
The Supreme Court bench said that when social media plays an active role in monitoring and amplifying courtroom proceedings, there is an urgency to ensure judicial commentary aligns with the decorum expected from courts of law.
