New Delhi, 29 September (H.S.): The Delhi High Court on Tuesday imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on a lawyer for attending a virtual court hearing from a moving car. Justice Om Prakash Shukla held that such conduct undermined the dignity of the courtroom and disrupted judicial proceedings.

The Court observed that conducting proceedings through videoconferencing did not mean that the dignity of the court could be compromised or that the proceedings could be disrupted. It said that when the court was required to dispose of around 70 matters every day, such disruptions and conduct that undermined the dignity of the court could necessitate judicial intervention.

The Court further observed that the rules governing electronic evidence and videoconferencing did not permit a lawyer to participate in court proceedings from a vehicle without the court’s permission. It said that a lawyer could be permitted to participate in a hearing through videoconferencing from a vehicle only in exceptional circumstances. The Court said this was necessary to ensure that advocates participating in proceedings were also able to experience and maintain an appropriate environment conducive to a court hearing.

The matter concerned compliance with a judgment involving South Indian Bank and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). During the proceedings, Nachiketa Goel, appearing for South Indian Bank, was participating in the videoconference from a moving car.

Taking strong exception to the manner in which the hearing was attended, the High Court imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on Goel and directed her to deposit the amount with the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee within one week.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar