Karnataka High Court Jails Advocate for Drunken Courtroom Misconduct
· India · The Hindu, Indian Express
A 55-year-old advocate from Karwar, Pankaj Kaushik, was convicted by the Karnataka High Court for criminal contempt after repeatedly disrupting court proceedings in an inebriated state. On April 8, 2022, he shouted at a civil judge in Uttara Kannada district, alleging corruption in a domestic violence case filed by his wife, and made defamatory statements against judges. On April 20, 2022, he again disrupted proceedings while under the influence, leading to a medical test confirming intoxication. The court sentenced him to one day’s imprisonment (until the court’s next session) and a ₹2,000 fine. The case stemmed from two letters from Karwar’s civil judge and district judge detailing his misconduct.
Why it matters
The conviction underscores the Karnataka High Court’s zero-tolerance stance on misbehaviour in courtrooms, setting a precedent for legal professionals to maintain decorum. Advocates and litigants in Karnataka may now face stricter scrutiny for disruptive behaviour, particularly when under the influence.
Read the original report — The Hindu
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