Karnataka HC asks advocate to plant 1,000 fruit trees to avoid criminal case
Karnataka HC directs an advocate to plant 1,000 fruit-bearing saplings as an alternative to criminal proceedings for misbehaving before a sessions court judge.
In an unusual exercise of judicial discretion, the High Court of Karnataka has ordered an advocate to plant 1,000 fruit-bearing saplings as a condition to avoid criminal prosecution. The directive stems from the lawyer's alleged misbehaviour before a sessions court judge in Gangavati, located in Koppal district.
The court's order effectively converts what could have been a criminal proceeding into an environmental restorative measure. By choosing plantation over prosecution, the High Court has offered the advocate an opportunity to make amends through community service rather than face the rigours of a criminal trial.
The specific nature of the advocate's conduct before the sessions judge has not been detailed in the order, but the court deemed it serious enough to warrant a punitive yet constructive response. The requirement to plant fruit-bearing saplings suggests an intention to create lasting public benefit while also serving as a deterrent.
Legal observers note that such alternative sentencing mechanisms, while uncommon, reflect a growing judicial trend towards restorative justice. The order also aligns with broader environmental conservation efforts, as fruit-bearing trees contribute to local biodiversity and provide sustenance to communities.
The advocate is expected to comply with the directive within a stipulated timeframe, with the court likely to monitor compliance. Failure to adhere to the order could revive the prospect of criminal proceedings, making the plantation exercise a binding obligation rather than a mere suggestion.