Karnataka HC asks advocate to plant 1,000 saplings after apology for courtroom conduct

The High Court of Karnataka has accepted an unconditional apology from an advocate and directed him to plant 1,000 fruit-bearing saplings as a condition to avoid criminal proceedings for his alleged misbehaviour before a sessions court judge in Gangavati, Koppal district.

Justice Hanchate Sanjeevkumar passed the revised order on September 1, recalling an earlier order from April that had called for criminal contempt proceedings, disciplinary action through the State Bar Council, and registration of a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against advocate S. Rangaswamy.

The High Court had taken action after the sessions judge recorded in writing that the advocate had engaged in behaviour that threatened and hampered the dignity of the court. According to court records, Rangaswamy brought eight to ten advocates from Ballari, stood staring at the sessions judge for nearly 15 minutes, hurled abuses, and interrupted proceedings during the recording of witness evidence in March.

The misconduct was linked to the sessions court's decision to expedite the trial of a murder case against persons who were clients of the advocate.

While recalling the earlier orders, the High Court retained its critical observations about the advocate's conduct. The court directed Rangaswamy to plant 1,000 saplings on government land or premises of schools or colleges, maintain them, and file an affidavit of compliance by October 31. It also imposed a nominal cost of ₹1,000 on him, to be paid to the Ballari District Legal Services Authority.

In its order, the High Court noted that judges in the district judiciary, despite being vested with judicial powers, are in a vulnerable position. They are unable to defend themselves as they are voiceless outside the courtroom and can only record their observations in orders, the court said.

The court further emphasised that advocates act as officers of the court and hold a duty to maintain its dignity. They are not agents of their clients, it said, adding that judges and lawyers should follow constitutional principles in letter and spirit. Both have a role in building what the court described as a 'monument in the temple of justice', and their daily work contributes to nation-building.

The order reflects an alternative approach to discipline, combining accountability with environmental restoration, while upholding the broader need for respectful conduct within judicial proceedings.