A lawyer’s remark disparaging women has drawn censure from the Delhi High Court which has warned him of stern action.
Lawyer Amol Kokane representing a Delhi-based ashram of Virender Dev Dixit who is facing a CBI probe for allegedly confining women and girls said while making his arguments that “according to Shakaracharya, ‘nari narak ka dwar hai’ (women are the gateway to hell).”
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar, took offense at the statement and warned that his manner of argument could invite contempt of court action.
Remark Criticised By Delhi Government Advocate
The lawyer’s remark came as a response to the court’s question as to why only women and girls were “abandoned” by parents at the ashrams of the Adhyatmik Vishwa Vidyalaya founded by Dixit.
The statement led to murmurs among the people and advocates in the court room.
The advocate for the Delhi government Rahul Mehra, also voiced his displeasure about Kokane’s tone of arguments and questioned if he was even an advocate.
The court soon wound up the day’s hearing in the matter and told all those associated with the case to leave the court room immediately.
Women And Girls Found Confined
Located in Rohini area of Delhi, the Adhyatmik Vishwa Vidyalaya, came into the spotlight a few months ago after several hundred women and girls were found allegedly confined there illegally in a fortress-like premises.
Dixit who is the founder-cum-spiritual leader has been facing a CBI probe. He has not been traced by the agency but a look out circular has been issued as a high court order has required his presence.
The CBI has said it has raided several of his ashrams in the search for him.
