Karnataka High Court Halts Probe, Rebukes Civil Judge for Unbecoming Conduct in Road Rage Incident
The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday stayed further investigation into a case filed by a Principal Civil Judge against two individuals following a road rage incident, while strongly criticising the judicial officer for her conduct.
Justice M Nagaprasanna, after reviewing CCTV footage of the incident, observed that the judge, identified as Gayatri, had behaved in a manner “totally unbecoming of the office that she holds.” The court noted that the video showed the judge engaging in a verbal altercation with the petitioners, Vinya K M and V Kavita, who were riding a two-wheeler.
“The video would clearly indicate that the judicial officer has behaved in a manner totally unbecoming of the office that she holds,” the court said.
The High Court emphasised that a judicial officer’s conduct, both inside and outside the courtroom, affects public trust. “Judicial office is a continuation of public trust; it is not only inside the courtroom, but it is behaviour outside the courtroom that would erode the confidence of the public or sustain the confidence,” the bench stated.
“Every act of a judicial officer is discharge of official duties and is not confined to the four walls of the court hall but travels beyond the court hall when the interaction happens with the public,” the court added.
The High Court’s interim order also directed the Registrar to place the matter before the Chief Justice for further action against the judge.
The petitioners had approached the High Court seeking quashing of the criminal case filed against them, arguing that the judge had abused her position to get police to take action. The court, while staying the investigation, made it clear that the judge’s actions warranted scrutiny.
