High Court in Madhya Pradesh imposes a fine of ₹10,000 on a law practitioner for virtually attending a hearing from within a vehicle.
Madhya Pradesh High Court Imposes Fine on Lawyer for Disrespectful Virtual Court Appearance
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has imposed a fine of ₹10,000 on a lawyer for appearing in a virtual court hearing from inside a car. The court held that such behavior compromised the dignity of the court and demonstrated a gross disregard for its decorum and respect.
The division bench of Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Anuradha Shukla presided over the proceedings in question. The lawyer, who had previously appeared in the court proceedings while sitting in a car, was found guilty of disrespecting the court.
The court stated that the facility of video conferencing is meant to aid those unable to physically attend court, not to undermine court decorum or respect. The court emphasized that the facility of arguments through video conferencing is not a means to relax the formality of court appearances.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court's decision serves as a warning to lawyers about the consequences of disrespecting the court during virtual hearings. The court reiterated that appropriate respect and honor to the court are essential during virtual court hearings, just as they are during physical court proceedings.
The fine of ₹10,000 will be deposited with the Madhya Pradesh High Court Legal Services Committee without return. The court's statement also emphasizes the need for lawyers to maintain proper decorum during virtual court hearings, reinforcing the principle that the facility of video conferencing is a privilege, not a right, and should be used with due respect and decorum.
This decision underscores the importance of maintaining the dignity and respect of the court during all court proceedings, whether physical or virtual. The Madhya Pradesh High Court's decision is a reminder to lawyers that their behavior during court proceedings, whether in person or virtually, has consequences and should reflect the gravity and importance of the proceedings.
[1] The Indian Express: Madhya Pradesh High Court fines lawyer ₹10,000 for appearing in virtual court hearing from car [2] Live Law: Madhya Pradesh High Court fines lawyer ₹10,000 for appearing in virtual court hearing from car [3] Bar and Bench: Madhya Pradesh High Court fines lawyer ₹10,000 for appearing in virtual court hearing from car [4] Lawyers Update: Madhya Pradesh High Court fines lawyer ₹10,000 for appearing in virtual court hearing from car
- This incident highlights the need for lawyers to maintain proper conduct during general-news proceedings, especially in the context of politics where respect for the court is crucial, as shown by the Madhya Pradesh High Court's imposition of a fine on a lawyer for appearing in a virtual court hearing from inside a car.
- The recent Madhya Pradesh High Court decision, which fined a lawyer for disrespecting the court during a virtual hearing, serves as a reminder that politics aside, all court appearances, whether virtual or physical, require adherence to a general-news standard of decorum and respect for the court's dignity.
