Supreme Court Closes Case Against Karnataka Judge for Controversial Comments

The Supreme Court of India has decided to close the proceedings against a Karnataka High Court judge who made objectionable comments. The judge had referred to a Muslim-dominated area in Bengaluru as ‘Pakistan’ and made gender-insensitive remarks against a woman lawyer.

Apology and Decision

A five-judge bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, along with Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, Surya Kant, and Hrishikesh Roy, noted that the judge had apologized for his comments in open court. The Supreme Court decided not to pursue the matter further in the interest of justice and the dignity of the judicial institution.

Importance of Judicial Dignity

The Supreme Court emphasized that no part of the country should be referred to as ‘Pakistan,’ as such comments affect the territorial integrity of India. The court also highlighted the need for judges to be careful during court proceedings and avoid making misogynistic or prejudicial comments.

Social Media and Transparency

The court addressed the controversies surrounding the live streaming of court proceedings, stating that more transparency is needed. It also remarked that social media cannot be controlled and that the solution is not to shut it down. Judges should be aware of their predispositions to deliver justice impartially, especially in the age of social media where their comments can have a wide impact.

Background

The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of media reports about the judge’s comments. Video clips of the judge’s remarks surfaced on social media platform X, leading to calls for action against him. The court’s decision to close the case underscores the importance of maintaining judicial dignity and transparency.