Karnataka High Court lauds deaf lawyer Advocate Sarah Sunny for able assistance

The Karnataka High Court on Monday recorded a note of praise for deaf lawyer Advocate Sarah Sunny, who made arguments in a case with the aid of a sign language interpreter..Justice M Nagaprasanna noted that such efforts must and are being appreciated."Counsel for (respondent-wife), Sarah Sunny has made elaborate submissions, defeating the disability of being hearing and speech impaired through the sign language interpreter. Submissions made by Sarah Sunny needs to be appreciated and the appreciation is placed on record though the submissions is through the sign language interpreter," the Court's interim order today stated..The Court had earlier asked its Registry and the Central government to arrange for a sign language interpreter to assist Sunny in her submissions. Today, the Court lauded the Central government and the Registry for making such arrangements. The judge also ordered that the interpreter be paid the necessary fees for her appearances today and in future hearings in this case. .Advocate Sunny made brief submissions while representing the estranged wife of a man who challenged a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued following the registration of a criminal case on allegations of cruelty and dowry harassment.While Sunny made her arguments in sign language, the interpreter translated and conveyed the same to the Court.The Court said it would receive Sunny's submissions in more detail during the next hearing on April 19."Let her get acquainted to the things. I will hear her elaborately on the next date," Justice Nagaprasanna said..Meanwhile, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aravind Kamat added that the hearing marked a historic event for the High Court."Milord, by allowing Sarah to make submissions, your lordships have made history. Karnataka will be know in history as the first High Court which heard a hearing and speech impaired advocate through a sign language interpreter. I understand she has appeared before the Chief Justice of India...but in terms of High Court, this will be the first," Kamat said..Read interview with advocate Sarah Sunny here.