Semi-Naked Man Joins Video Conference Hearing Before Karnataka High Court; Notice Issued On Senior Adv. Indira Jaising's Complaint

A semi-naked man had joined the video conference hearing before the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday, when the court was hearing a batch of petitions questioning the legality of the SIT probe in the alleged sex CD scandal involving former State Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi. Senior Advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for the victim in the case, sought action to be taken against the person, one Mr Sreedhar Bhatt. During the hearing she pointed out to the court that "a person is appearing on Video Conference without a vest, he is visible in this courtroom. Please take judicial notice of this. Let there be some decorum in the court. Milord, I am a woman lawyer." She urged the court, "It is very offensive for a woman to see a man without clothes in a courtroom. We have a man without clothes when a woman is arguing in the court? What is going on? Milords". Further, she said, "It seems he is bathing in front of the court and before me. How is this possible? In the interest of the dignity of this court, can your lordship allow this?" The court queried on the identity of the person, "Who is he? Is he a lawyer?". It also observed, "We don't see him." An advocate also connected through video conference confirmed to the court that what Jaising was saying was true and that he could also see the man without clothes. Jaising then replied, "I don't know who he is but it is so offensive to see a naked man in court while arguing in the High Court. I am making my submission and all I can see is a naked man. I have never seen anything like this during any hybrid hearing." While the hearing was ongoing, the court officer tried calling the offender but he did not respond. As the hearing came to an end, Jaising urged the court to take action against the man. She said,"One final request milord's, a personal request. Milords I have been deeply disturbed by the fact that I was exposed to a semi-naked man in this courtroom for over 20 minutes whose name was also visible. This should never happen again. It is very disturbing for women to see something like this. I have reason to believe that this is mischievously done and deliberately done. It is gross contempt of court." Following which the court directed, "Take out the data and issue notice to him."

Semi-Naked Man Joins Video Conference Hearing Before Karnataka High Court; Notice Issued On Senior Adv. Indira Jaising's Complaint

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