'Gratuitous Remark': SC Raps Karnataka HC Judge For Referring To Muslim-Dominated Bengaluru Area As 'Pakistan'

Supreme Court on Friday took cognizance of Karnataka High Court judge’s remark referring to a Muslim-dominated locality in Bengaluru as “Pakistan”. Leading a five-judge bench, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud said, “Why we have assembled here is because of videos of Karnataka HC judge making some gratuitous remark.”

In a recent session, Karnataka High Court Justice Vedavyasachar Srishananda had referred to a neighbourhood in Bengaluru as “Pakistan” while addressing a landlord-tenant dispute in Gori Palya, a locality situated in the western part of the city.

The Supreme Court has sought a report from the Karnataka High Court over the remarks made by Justice Vedavyasachar Srishananda.

“Our attention has been drawn to some comments made by Karnataka High Court judge Justice V Srishananda during the conduct of judicial proceedings. We have asked the AG and SG to assist us. We ask the registrar general of the High Court to submit a report to this court after seeking administrative directions from the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court. This exercise may be carried out in 2 weeks,” the top court said.

A five-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India  DY Chandrachud, along with Justices S Khanna, B R Gavai, S Kant, and H Roy, stressed the need for establishing clear guidelines for constitutional court judges regarding their remarks in court. The Supreme Court bench stated that social media plays an active role in monitoring and amplifying courtroom proceedings, therefore, it is important to ensure that judicial commentary aligns with the decorum expected from courts of law.

Karnataka HC Judge’s Remark

During the hearing, while discussing traffic issues near the Mysore Road flyover, Justice Srishananda had said, “Go to the Mysore Road flyover, every auto rickshaw has 10 people. It is not applicable because the Mysore flyover head left to the market from Gori Palya is in Pakistan, not in India. This is the reality. No matter how strict a police officer you put there, they will be beaten up there.”