Karnataka HC Recalls Contempt Against Lawyer, Imposes ₹1,000 Fine and 1,000 Tree Sapling Penalty

The Karnataka High Court has recalled criminal contempt and disciplinary proceedings against an advocate who was found to have threatened a Sessions Judge and hampered court proceedings in Gangavathi of Koppal district. A single-judge bench of Justice Hanchate Sanjeevkumar at the Dharwad Bench accepted an unconditional apology submitted by advocate S. Rangaswamy, choosing a constructive social-action penalty over punitive incarceration. The matter arose from a criminal transfer petition involving a case before the I Additional District and Sessions Judge, Koppal (sitting at Gangavathi). During earlier hearings in April 2026, the High Court had noted with grave concern from the trial court order sheets that the advocate had virtually threatened the presiding judge and obstructed proceedings. The court had previously ordered the initiation of criminal contempt, bar council action, and criminal prosecution. However, after senior counsel requested leniency and the advocate submitted an affidavit expressing sincere remorse, the bench decided to recall the punitive directions. Emphasizing the role of legal professionals in nation-building, the court ordered the lawyer to pay a symbolic fine of ₹1,000 and plant 1,000 fruit-bearing saplings on public or educational institution land, maintaining them with water and fertilizer. The advocate has been directed to submit a compliance report to the court by October 31, 2026.