Karnataka High Court judge refers to Bengaluru locality as Pakistan, sparks outrage

Karnataka High Court judge Justice V Srishananda has sparked outrage on social media after he referred to a Muslim-dominated locality in Bengaluru as 'Pakistan'.

The judge was referring to the Gori Palya area in West Bengaluru.

He made the comment in open court while hearing a matter related to insurance.

“Go to that Mysuru Road flyover. Every auto rickshaw has got 10 people. It is not applicable because the Mysore flyover right up to the flower market from Gori Palya is in Pakistan, not in India. This is the reality. This is the reality. No matter how strict police officer you put there, they will be beaten up there,” Justice Srishananda can be heard saying in a video clip of the hearing that has since gone viral on social media.

The judge made the observations during a hearing on August 28 pertaining to the Rent Control Act. The judge was discussing a lease agreement and the powers of a land owner under Section 27 (2)(o) of the Act.

The full video from the day’s hearing reveals that the Court went on to discuss some amendments required in several laws, including the Rent Control Act and the Motor Vehicles Act.

The judge spoke about how vehicles in “foreign countries” have to abide by strict lane discipline, speed limits etc.

“Big vehicles with heavy load are supposed to stay on their designated lane only. But when you see (here) a heavily loaded KSRTC bus and private buses on the same lane...” the judge said.

An advocate appearing in the matter replied that it was "a disaster waiting to happen.”

Justice Srishananda went on to say that lane traffic discipline is essential and the Motor Vehicles Act should have amendments to ensure that lane discipline and speed limits are given adequate attention.

“In foreign country, even if you are going slow at the speed of 40kmph, the police will come and shift you to the slow lane. Here, you go at your own speed, break the law and you get away with 304A. What is the fun? Go to any private school today, invariably you will see students riding scooters. Principal doesn’t take any action, parents do not take any action. Autorickshaws full of 13,14,15 students. Even after that incident where that van capsized and three small children died. No action. Police is totally inactive. They are into lobbying. Majority of these schools are run by so and so...they will manage."

The judge went on to make the 'Pakistan' remark after this.

"Every two minutes you will find one auto rickshaw dropping people like that. This is the problem. No rule is applicable. It is all there. People are also of that nature,” he said while adjourning the matter.

[Watch from 7:21:40 to 7:22:50]