New Delhi: Two days after he shouted at a fellow judge while hearing a matter in the Gujarat High Court, Justice Biren Vaishnav issued an apology Wednesday.
The tense exchange took place between Justices Vaishnav and Mauna Bhatt Monday while the hearing was being live streamed on the HC’s YouTube channel. The video was later reportedly pulled down.
“What happened on Monday shouldn’t have happened. I was wrong. I am sorry for that,” Vaishnav said during a live stream of court proceedings Wednesday, in the presence of Bhatt and several lawyers in the courtroom.
A video clip of the Monday incident circulating on social media shows Vaishnav and Bhatt presiding over a bench, considering a matter. They then appear to have a disagreement over what order should be passed in the case.
“You differ yaar!” Vaishnav is heard saying. “You have differed in one, differ in the other (also).”
Bhatt is then heard saying: “It is not a question of differing.”
Vaishnav goes on to say: “Then do not murmur…Then you pass a separate order.”
Vaishnav then rises from the bench abruptly, saying that the court will not be taking any other matters.
The Gujarat High Court live streams its proceedings every day on its YouTube channel. The incident caused a furore online, with several users of social media platform X criticising the senior judge for the outburst. One user called the incident “unfortunate” and spoke of the dynamics of senior and junior judges on a bench.
In a division bench, both judges have equal powers. But in most cases, the 'junior' judge agrees mechanically with what a 'senior' judge decides. This, in fact, defeats the purpose for which a division bench is set up.
What happened in Gujarat HC is unfortunate. Judges… https://t.co/jBvM9swfHH
— CiteCase 🇮🇳 (@CiteCase) October 24, 2023
Another user called the exchange “deplorable and irresponsible demonstration of chauvinism”, while a third objected to the use of the word “yaar” for a fellow judge.
This is not heated exchange. This is a deplorable and irresponsible demonstration of chauvinism on bench. He was chiding her like a bully. So much for Judicial propriety and decorum! https://t.co/roEU9nyoL4
— Jhuma (@courtinglaw) October 24, 2023
How appropriate is it for a senior high court judge to use the word “yaar” for a lady judge on the bench? And chauvinistically chide her in open court for registering disagreement on facts or law? Judicial decorum and propriety can go bungee jumping! Should be held to account! https://t.co/8fUYr1ahCS
— Ashish Goel (@ashish_nujs) October 24, 2023
Vaishnav was elevated as an additional judge in the high court in April 2016, and was confirmed as a permanent judge in March 2018. Justice Bhatt was elevated to the bench in October 2021.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)