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The Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, has concluded its proceedings against a Karnataka High Court judge who made controversial remarks during a court session. The judge, Justice Srishananda, had sparked widespread condemnation after referring to a Muslim-majority area in Bengaluru as “Pakistan” while addressing a landlord-tenant dispute. He further compounded the issue by making a misogynistic comment directed at a woman lawyer.
The incident triggered a suo motu cognizance by the Supreme Court on September 20th, prompting the Karnataka High Court to submit a report detailing the judge's apology. Justice Srishananda publicly apologized for his statements on September 21st, prompting the Supreme Court to close the proceedings.
Chief Justice Chandrachud, while accepting the apology, emphasized the gravity of the judge's comments. He asserted that calling any part of India 'Pakistan' is fundamentally contrary to the nation's territorial integrity. His remarks served as a strong reminder of the importance of decorum and neutrality within the Indian judiciary.
The Supreme Court's decision to close proceedings following the apology highlights the judiciary's sensitivity to public perception and its commitment to upholding the integrity of the institution. However, the incident also underlines the need for rigorous training and scrutiny of judicial conduct to prevent similar situations from arising in the future.
The controversy surrounding Justice Srishananda's remarks underscores the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the need to maintain public trust in the judiciary. As social media plays an increasingly prominent role in scrutinizing courtroom proceedings, the Supreme Court's intervention serves as a reminder that judicial commentary must be consistent with the high standards of decorum and fairness expected of the court.
Source: ‘Can’t call any part of India as Pakistan’: CJI as Karnataka HC judge furnishes apology to SC