Gujarat High Court Judge Apologizes to Colleague After Verbal Clash in Open Court

Justice Biren Vaishnav of the Gujarat High Court on Wednesday apologised to his colleague, Justice Mauna Bhatt, after the duo was involved in a verbal spat in an open court.

"I am very sorry for whatever happened on Monday. I am sorry for that and I think that shouldn't have happened," Justice Vaishnav told Justice Bhatt and the advocates present in his court.

According to Bar and Bench, Justice Vaishnav, the senior judge on the bench, was irked after Justice Bhatt seemingly registered her disagreement by murmuring in the senior judge's ears.

Justice Bhatt, however, did not seem to agree with Justice Vaishnav and whispered something to which Justice Vaishnav reacted strongly, asking her to pass a "differing order."

"You differ yaar. You have differed in one matter, (so) differ here also," Justice Vaishnav told the puisne judge.

To this, Justice Bhatt responded, "It isn't a matter of differing..."

"Then pass a separate order. Do not murmur," said Justice Vaishnav.

Justice Vaishnav then rose and left the courtroom stating that the bench would not be hearing any further matters.