Bengaluru, 30 July

The Karnataka High Court has criticised the conduct of a judicial officer in an alleged road rage incident, observing that CCTV footage prima facie showed behaviour “wholly unbecoming” of a member of the judiciary.

Justice M Nagaprasanna, while hearing a petition filed by the accused, watched the CCTV footage of the incident involving Malur Principal Civil Judge and JMFC Gayathri and her husband. The court said the footage appeared to show the couple engaging in a verbal altercation with two-wheeler riders after they allegedly overtook their private car.

The court also raised concerns over the alleged misuse of official position to initiate criminal proceedings against citizens. It questioned why a 70-year-old man was taken into custody despite not being present on the two-wheeler, allegedly at the judicial officer’s instance.

Justice Nagaprasanna said a judge’s responsibility extends beyond the courtroom, and their public conduct must uphold confidence in the judiciary. The court stayed further proceedings against the accused and directed that its order be placed before the Chief Justice for further action against the judicial officer.