The Gujarat High Court today pulled up Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) Commissioner Vinod Rao over a message sent on WhatsApp to Justice R H Shukla, saying judiciary is not a social circle.
The court of Justice R H Shukla, hearing a petition filed by a group of traders after the VMC demolished a building in which they had their shops, took a strong exception to the message that Rao sent to him, and asked why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him.
The court observed that the action of Rao, who was today present before it on its order, was unbecoming a senior officer as it hurt the sanctity of judiciary.
It said that Rao, being a senior government officer and a public servant, should not behave like a dictator as his action amounts to intervention in judiciary proceedings.
Rao apologised before the court for his action. The court then sought an unconditional apology from him in writing. It directed Rao to again appear before it on Monday and submit it in writing.
The court, however, did not reveal the content of the message sent by Rao.
A group of around ten traders had moved the high court against the VMC for initiating demolition of buildings near Vadodara railway station on the ground that they were in dilapidated condition.
The court had stayed the demolition and further hearing was underway.
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