The Karnataka High Court has initiated suo motu contempt of court proceedings against unidentified persons who allegedly disrupted proceedings in the Chief Justice’s courtroom during a protest by advocates against violence targeting lawyers in the State.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K.S. Hemalekha, on November 3, 2026, took serious note of the incident and directed the Registry to identify those involved through CCTV footage.
Background
The Karnataka State Bar Council, Advocates Association of Bengaluru (AAB) and other bar associations had called for a protest demanding stronger implementation of the Prohibition of Violence Against Advocates Act, 2023, following recent attacks on lawyers.
During the protest, several advocates allegedly entered the Chief Justice’s courtroom and disrupted proceedings. Taking note of the incident, the Bench observed:
"Prima facie, we are of the view that this conduct amounts to contemptuous behaviour."
The Court subsequently directed the Registry to examine the CCTV footage and identify the individuals responsible for creating the disturbance.
After the order, AAB Treasurer Shwetha Ravishankar appeared before the Bench and attempted to explain the incident. She submitted that several people were present and that the person allegedly approaching the dais had been pushed.
The Bench rejected the explanation and emphasised that advocates, being officers of the court, must maintain courtroom discipline.
When Ravishankar offered an apology on behalf of the advocates, the Bench insisted on a formal affidavit, observing:
"What kind of behaviour is this? You are an advocate? You are an officer of the Court. You can't simply throw your responsibilities away and behave like this. It's absolutely unbecoming of an advocate."
The Bench also referred to the Supreme Court's orders concerning lawyers' strikes and contempt proceedings against office-bearers of bar associations. It indicated that the matter could also be referred to the Bar Council.
The High Court directed the Advocates Association of Bengaluru to file an affidavit in response to the contempt proceedings. It declined the request to exempt the association for the day and made clear that the notice would have to be answered.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on November 19, 2026.
