Madras HC Initiates Contempt Proceedings Against A Lawyer For Vulgarity

• An incident occured in the Court of Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan which sparked a huge amount of controversy. A lawyer was seen engaging in vulgarity with a woman while logged in during Court proceedings.
• A Division bench comprising Justices R. Remalatha and P.N. Prakash, taking suo motu cogniznance of the incident remarked “This Court cannot afford to be a mute spectator and turn a Nelson’s eye when such brazen vulgarity is publicly displayed amidst Court proceedings.”
• The Court, while asking CB-CID to register a suo motu FIR on the incident stated-

“Since the impugned video clipping prima facie discloses the commission of cognizable offences under the Information Technology Act and other penal laws, the CB-CID shall register a suo motu FIR on the impugned video clipping and file a preliminary report before this Court on 23.12.2021 naming the ‘dramatis personae’ who are found engaged in the vulgar activity”

• The circulation of the aforementioned video has also been asked to be blocked by the Police Commissioner, Greater Chennai.
• The Court has also asked the Registrar (I.T.-cum-Statistics), who has also been asked to preserve the video recording of the Court proceedings in which the incident occured, to coordinate with the CB-CID and if required, to furnish them with the video and any other evidence which is required.
• In addition to this, the Registrar has also been asked to remove the clipping from the internet so as to prevent it’s circulation.
• While concluding, the Court also remarked that the procedure for conducting proceedings in digital mode needs to be revisited, since many lawyers have now started to appear in the Courts in person.
• Another blow to the said lawyer was dealt by the Bar Council Of Tamil Nadu, who provisionally barred his practice till the conclusion of the disciplinary proceedings against him for his scandalous behavior during Court proceedings.