In a unique punishment, Karnataka HC directs advocate to plant 1,000 fruit-bearing saplings for misbehaving before sessions court judge

The High Court of Karnataka has imposed a unique punishment on an advocate by directing him to plant 1,000 fruit-bearing saplings in lieu of facing criminal proceedings for misbehaving before a judge of the sessions court in Gangavati of Koppal district.

Justice Hanchate Sanjeevkumar passed a revised order on September 1 while accepting an unconditional apology by advocate S. Rangaswamy for his behaviour before the sessions court.

Also, on accepting the apology, the High Court recalled its earlier order of April in which it had directed initiation of criminal proceedings for contempt of court, disciplinary proceedings through the State Bar Council, and registration of a criminal case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the advocate.

The High Court had initiated action against Mr. Rangaswamy on noticing the proceedings recorded in writing by the sessions judge on his alleged “behaviour of threatening and hampering the dignity of the sessions court.”