Karnataka High Court judge Justice V. Srishananda has expressed regret over the alleged objectionable remarks he had made during the judicial proceedings and said his statements were reported out of context on social media platforms.
“A few observations made during judicial proceedings were reported out of context on social media platforms. The observations were unintentional and not meant to hurt any individual or any section of society. If such observations hurt any individual or any section of society or community, I express my sincere regrets," Justice Srishananda said.
Justice Srishananda read out the statement as the court proceedings commenced on Saturday afternoon. Some members of the Advocates' Association, Bengaluru (AAB) were also present when Justice Srishananda read out his message.
The judge had made the controversial remarks while hearing a case related to landlord-tenant dispute. A video clip that went viral on social media shows Justice Srishananda referring to a Muslim-dominated locality in Bengaluru as "Pakistan".
On Friday, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the judge's comments.
"We will ask the Register General of the High Court to send us a report and perhaps with your assistance lay down some guidelines on observations in the course of hearings and draw the issues now that social media is now so prominent in observing proceedings in court, commenting on that,” the apex court said.
The bench further noted that there was a need to establish clear guidelines for constitutional court judges regarding their remarks in court.