Madras High Court initiates contempt of court case against man seen in compromising position with woman during virtual hearing

The Madras High Court has initiated contempt of court proceedings against a lawyer, RD Santhana Krishnan on Tuesday after he was seen in a compromising position with a woman during courts proceedings which were being held via video conference..The incident took place before the Bench of Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan, after which a Division Bench of Justices PN Prakash and R Hemalatha initiated suo motu contempt proceedings."A video clipping showing the online Court proceedings of one of our brother Judges, in which, a male is found engaged in eroticism with a lady, is going viral in social media," the Court observed in its order..It further said that it cannot be a mute spectator to such brazen vulgarity during court proceedings.“This Court cannot afford to be a mute spectator and turn a Nelson's eye when such brazen vulgarity is publicly displayed amidst Court proceedings,” the order said..Apart from initiating contempt proceedings, the Court also ordered a CB-CID inquiry into the incident since the video prima facie disclosed the commission of cognizable offences under the Information Technology Act and other penal laws. In this regard, the Court sought a preliminary report to be submitted before the Court on December 23..Further, the Division Bench directed the Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai to explore ways to delete the video of the incident circulating on social media..In light of the incident, the Court was also of the view that the hybrid mode of hearing needed to be revisited, especially since lawyers were appearing physically in large numbers. It, therefore, placed the matter before the acting Chief Justice for his consideration.“We are of the considered view that it is high time that we revisit the procedure of conducting Court proceedings in hybrid mode, especially in the light of the fact that Advocates, in large numbers, have started appearing in person in our High Court as well in the District Courts,” the Court said..The case will be heard next on December 23.Meanwhile, The Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry has suspended the lawyer from practicing before all courts and tribunals in India and has initiated disciplinary proceedings against him.[Read High Court Order]