Guj HC initiates contempt action against senior advocate for attending virtual hearing with beer mug
Ahmedabad, Jul 1 (PTI): Appalled by a senior counsel sipping from a beer mug and talking on the phone while virtually attending a hearing, the Gujarat High Court on Tuesday initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against him for the "outrageous and glaring" conduct.
A division bench of Justice A.S. Supehia and Justice R.T. Vachhani stated that Bhaskar Tanna's senior counsel title should be withdrawn owing to his conduct but decided to take further action after hearing the case.
The incident occurred before a bench of Justice Sandeep Bhatt on June 25 and a video clip was circulated on social media thereafter.
"A video clip of high court proceedings widely circulated in social media shows his contemptuous behaviour of talking on the phone and also having a drink in a beer mug while attending the hearing," Justice Supehia stated.
This "outrageous and glaring" act of Tanna has very wide ramifications, and if ignored or disregarded, it will be destructive to the rule of law, the court stated.
"We direct the registry to initiate suo motu contempt of court proceedings against senior counsel Bhaskar Tanna. The registry will submit a report before the next date of hearing," it said.
In a legal context, "suo motu" refers to a court or other authority taking action on its own initiative, without being formally requested or petitioned by another party.
The high court directed (the registry) to issue a notice to Tanna and barred him from appearing virtually before the batch.
"The demeanour of Tanna defies the privilege of senior counsel conferred upon him by the court. As per our opinion his title should be withdrawn, however, that will be decided at a later stage," Justice Supehia stated.
The contempt proceedings will be heard after two weeks.
A shocking video clip had gone viral a week ago showing a man attending proceedings of the Gujarat High Court virtually by sitting on a toilet seat.
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CPI(M) rebel Kunhikrishnan hopes for 5,000-vote win in Payyanur
Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): CPI(M) rebel candidate V Kunhikrishnan, who contested as a UDF-backed Independent from Payyanur here, on Saturday said he was hoping to win the Assembly election by a margin of 5,000 votes.
Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after raising allegations of corruption in the party’s martyrs’ fund against sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan.
Speaking to a TV channel, Kunhikrishnan said he had announced his candidature as a mark of protest and not with expectations of victory.
However, he said the situation had changed drastically, with a strong undercurrent within CPI(M) votes favouring him.
"The undercurrent in CPI(M) votes cannot be measured. Now people are giving a response indicating victory with a margin of at least 5,000 votes," he said.
Payyanur is considered a CPI(M) stronghold, and a defeat for Madhusoodanan there would be a major setback for the party.
On political violence in Payyanur, Kunhikrishnan said he had been facing it since filing his nomination.
"The people leading this violence should think about how long they can continue it. It is the police which has to take the initiative to stop this violence as part of maintaining law and order. But the police are not intervening at the required level," he said.
Regarding his political future, Kunhikrishnan said efforts were underway to strengthen Left groups, and discussions were being held across Kerala in that regard.
"After discussing with others, a decision will be taken," he said.
Kunhikrishnan is among six former CPI(M) leaders who either exited the party or were suspended before contesting for the UDF in the April 9 Assembly elections.
Elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly were held on April 9, and the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
