Do not act like Salman Khan in the court again: Telangana HC warns advocate

Hyderabad: A High Court Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice N. Tukaramji heard the suo motu contempt proceedings against advocate B. Balamukunda Rao on Friday.

Earlier, on 15 December 2022, a Single Bench of Justice P. Madhavi Devi, during the course of hearing the matters, Advocate B. Balamukunda Rao had interrupted the court proceedings. By representing his case, he cited the judgments of the High Court and Supreme Court, but Justice Madhavi Devi refused to go through those judgments.

Advocate Balamukunda Rao alleged that she disrespected him by her actions, by putting unwarranted questions as directed by the other counsel other than his case and insulting him in the open court.

He further alleged that the said act falls under the Contempt of Courts Act punishable under sections 11 and 12.

Moreover, Mr. Balamukunda Rao sent a notice to Justice Madhavi Devi and sought the reply of the judge within a week or else he would take appropriate steps holding her personally liable for cost and consequences arising thereof.

On Friday, before the Chief Justice Bench, Mr. Balamukunda Rao rendered an unconditional apology for his actions and submitted that it will not be repeated further.

Further, he informed the court that he had withdrawn the notice issued against Justice Madhavi Devi and apologised to her for his actions on that day in court.

Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan warned advocate Balamukunda Rao not to repeat the act again. “Do not act like Salman Khan in the court again. There is no place for Salman Khan-like activities in the court,” the CJ stated.

The CJ opined that the Bar and Bench are like family. “We have to respect each other,” he said. The Bench, consenting to the unconditional apology of Mr. Balamukunda Rao, closed the matter.