Gujarat HC Launches Contempt Action Over Virtual Court Etiquette
Gujarat HC Launches Contempt Action Over Virtual Court Etiquette
A senior Gujarat High Court advocate faces contempt charges for allegedly misbehaving during a virtual court session. Explore the implications of this unexpected incident.
One of the Gujarat High Court's senior advocates was charged with suo motu contempt on Tuesday for allegedly "talking on the phone" and "having a drink in a beer mug" during a June 26 virtual court appearance. A Division Bench made up of Justices A. S. Supehia and R. T. Vachhani ordered the Registry to file a contempt case against the senior advocate on Tuesday, calling the senior advocate's actions "outrageous and glaring." According to reports, the alleged incident took place in Justice Sandeep Bhatt's court, where the senior advocate was virtually present.
The court stated that "the indecent act has very wide ramifications" because the video clip of the live streaming of the aforementioned proceeding had "travelled beyond the precincts of this prestigious institution" and "dents the glory and dignity of the institution." It also noted that the video clip had been widely shared on social media. Since senior advocates are viewed as mentors and role models for aspiring attorneys, the court stated that "disregarding" the incident would be "destructive to the rule of law" and cause the institution to collapse.
The Gujarat High Court (Live Streaming of Court Proceedings) Rules, 2021, Rule 5(j), which states that,
"Anyone participating in the proceedings, whether in person or through video conferencing, will have to maintain utmost discipline and decorum for upholding the dignity and majesty of the court," was also allegedly broken by the senior advocate, the court noted.
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It also said that the senior advocate’s designation may be “reconsidered” as the “contemptuous demeanour unquestionably defies the privilege of Senior Counsel”, conferred by the HC.
The court also ordered the Registry to preserve the aforementioned video and prepare a report that must be presented to the court by the next hearing date. Additionally, until further orders are issued, the court limited the senior advocate's ability to appear before the Division Bench virtually.
