Advocates Association calls for halt on live-streaming after Karnataka High Court judge’s controversial videos

A day after two video clips of Karnataka High Court judge, Justice V Srishananda went viral on social media, the Advocates’ Association, Bengaluru has made a representation before Chief Justice NV Anjaria to halt the live-streaming of Court proceedings.

The Association has written a letter to the Karnataka High Court Chief Justice saying that live-streaming should be stopped at least till there is some sort of sensitisation and agreement on what can be said in open court.

“The recent statement made to a lady advocate has grabbed national attention and while this brings into focus the larger issue of treatment to younger members of the Bar by judges, and particularly the treatment to lady advocates, the Advocates Association Bangalore requests that till such time until there is sensitisation on views that could be aired in open courts, there should be total stoppage of live streaming for such courts. Otherwise, the situation would aggravate and the image in public of courts would be totally damaged,” the letter reads.

The letter was written on Friday, September 20, and has been signed by Association President Vivek Subba Reddy, its General Secretary TG Ravi, and Treasurer Harisha MT.

It goes on to say that Justice Srishananda is known for his integrity and good judgments. However, all his “good work has been taken away” by the irrelevant side comments and jibes he is seen to have made in the said videos.

Reddy did not respond to requests for a comment on the issue.

A video clip of a hearing conducted by Justice Srishananda on August 28 was circulated on social media where the judge can be seen referring to a Muslim dominated sub-locality in west Bengaluru as 'Pakistan'.

Hours later, another video from the same court room came to light, in which Justice Srishananda can be seen making a gender insensitive comment.