Karnataka High Court Critiques Judge Over Road Rage Incident

The Karnataka High Court has issued a stern rebuke to a female judicial officer embroiled in a road rage controversy, emphasizing that holding a judicial position does not grant one the right to act with arrogance or entitlement. This criticism arose during a hearing led by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, who was addressing a petition filed by K.M. Vinay, V. Kavita, and P. Venkatesh. The petitioners sought to have an FIR against them dismissed, which had been registered at the Malur Police Station in Kolar district. The case gained significant attention following the emergence of a viral video that allegedly depicted Malur Civil Judge and JMFC N. Gayathri verbally assaulting a young motorist and instructing police to physically harm him, stating they should beat him “until he gets scars” before taking further legal action. This incident has triggered widespread public outrage, with many legal professionals and citizens questioning the judge's behavior beyond the confines of the courtroom.

In the aftermath of the incident, three individuals were arrested following a complaint made by Judge Gayathri. The Advocates’ Association of Bengaluru has also called for her suspension, citing claims of authority misuse and inappropriate conduct. During the court proceedings, Justice Nagaprasanna remarked that if the allegations against the judge are substantiated, they would represent a clear example of arrogance and a lack of humility. He instructed the Registrar General to present the case to the Chief Justice, underscoring that any disciplinary actions against a judicial officer must adhere to established administrative protocols. Additionally, the High Court has temporarily halted the police investigation into the matter pending further legal developments.