Indian SC takes suo motu cognizance after Karnataka judge calls Bengaluru locality ‘Pakistan’
Bengaluru: A Karnataka High Court judge has ignited controversy by referring to the Gori Palya locality in Bengaluru, a predominantly Muslim area, as “Pakistan” during a court hearing.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Justice V. Srishananda made the comments while discussing a matter related to insurance, stating, “Go to that Mysuru Road flyover. Every auto rickshaw has got 10 people… Gori Palya is in Pakistan, not in India….. No matter how strict police officer you put there, they will be beaten up there”.
His remarks, captured in a viral video, have drawn widespread condemnation on social media, with many labeling them as an endorsement of Hindutva rhetoric. Justice Srishananda also faced criticism for his treatment of a woman lawyer during the hearing, jokingly implying she might reveal the opposite party’s personal details even the colour of his undergarments.
In response to the outrage, the Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognizance of the incident. A five-judge bench, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, has requested a report from the Registrar General of the Karnataka High Court. The bench has also called upon the Attorney General and the Solicitor General to assist in the matter.
Karnataka HC judge’s comments have raised serious concerns regarding the impartiality of judges, with many arguing that Indian judges have increasingly become mouthpieces for Hindutva ideologies. As the Supreme Court investigates the matter, it highlights the urgent need for accountability and sensitivity in judicial conduct amidst rising communal tensions in Modi’s India.
