Karnataka HC judge calls Bengaluru locality 'Pakistan'; SC initiates suo motu case

The suo motu case has been initiated after two video clips of Justice Srishananda surfaced on social media

The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the controversial remarks made by a judge of Karnataka High Court.

A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court – comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, Surya Kant and Hrishikesh Roy – on September 20 asked the Karnataka High Court to submit a report in this regard, according to ANI.

It also sought the assistance of Attorney General (AG) R Venkataramani and Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta in the matter.

The suo motu case has been initiated after two video clips of Karnataka High Court judge Justice Srishanand surfaced on social media. In one video, he is seen referring to a Muslim-dominated locality in Bengaluru as “Pakistan” while in the other one he is making objectionable remarks against a woman lawyer.

The videos went viral on social media, with people from all sectors demanding strict action against the judge.

Senior advocate Indira Jaising took to 'X' to urge the CJI to take suo motu action against the judge and send him for gender sensitisation training.

We call upon the Chief Justice of India to take suo moto action agsinst this judge and send him for gender sensitisation training. pic.twitter.com/MPEP6x8Jov
Indira Jaising (@IJaising) September 19, 2024

“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 two weeks,” the top court directed, as per Bar and Bench.

The court also said it may lay down some basic guidelines.