In a first for high courts, Karnataka HC hears submissions from hearing impaired advocate

10.04.2024
For the first time in any high court, the Karnataka High Court on Monday heard submissions made by a hearing and speech impaired advocate, Sarah Sunny, via a sign language interpreter. The matter was heard by a single judge bench consisting of Justice Nagaprasanna.

The matter involved a case of dowry harassment in which the advocate was representing the wife, who is the complainant. Previously on April 4, the High Court had directed, “I deem it appropriate to direct the Registry of the Court to secure a sign language interpreter for the hearing and speech impaired Advocate on record. The Registry shall communicate to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and secure a sign language interpreter from the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing to be present to assist Miss Sarah Sunny, learned counsel, on the next date of hearing.”

After the proceedings on Monday, the bench had noted, “Counsel for the petitioner’s wife, Sarah Sunny had made elaborate submissions, through a sign language interpreter and the submission made by Sarah Sunny needs to be appreciated and the appreciation is placed on record though it is through the sign language interpreter.”

Previously, Advocate Sarah Sunny had made submissions before the CJI in a first for the Supreme Court in September 2023.