The Madras High Court has initiated a Suo Motu Criminal Contempt Petition over a video clip showing the online Court proceedings of Justice G.K Ilanthiraiyan, where a male is found to be in compromising situation with a woman.
The bench comprising of Justice P.N. Prakash and Justice R.Hemalatha while taking up the suo motu contempt petition stated that, “This Court cannot afford to be a mute spectator and when such brazen vulgarity is publicly displayed amidst Court proceedings and turn a Nelson’s eye.”
And therefore the Madras High Court took cognizance of the matter concerning the said video clip and issued directions for the same and directed the Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai to take necessary steps block the further circulation of the said video clip on various social media platforms.
Further directions were given out to the Registry to collaborate with the concerned authorities in order to remove the said viral video from internet.
The bench also directed the CB-CID to register a suo motu FIR on the viral video clip as the said video displays commission of cognizable offence under the IT Act (Information Technology Act) prima faciely.
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Further the bench has asked to file a preliminary report giving information about the persons involved in the vulgar activity. The report is to be submitted by Thursday on December 23, 2021.
The Registry is further directed to preserve the video recordings of the Court proceedings in question and furnish the said video and other evidences when required. The registry shall coordinate with the CB-CID when required.
The bench stated that the procedure of conducting the Court proceedings in a hybrid mode should be now revisited, especially when a larger number of advocates have started to appear in person in the High Court as well in the District Courts. However, the Acting Chief Justice has to take a decision concerning the situation when the matter is listed before him.
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The said advocate in the viral video is provisionally barred from the practice till the pendency of the disciplinary proceedings against him by the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu & Puducherry
The matter has been posted now for 23rd December, 2021.