Ahmedabad: Attending court proceedings from the comfort of one’s office or home through a virtual hearing is a privilege, now granted to Indian citizens. But attending a hearing while seated on a commode is stretching things a bit too far.
A 42-year-old man was practically caught with his pants down by the High Court of Gujarat recently and fined Rs 2 lakh for the impropriety.
“In such scenario, the indecent act is not only unacceptable but it is shameful and is required to be strictly condemned. If Courts do not deal with such a person with strong hands then, that may result (in) lowering the dignity of the institution in the eyes of the public,” Justice M K Thakker held.
The man who has been fined is Dhavalbhai Kanubhai Ambalal Patel, the son of a respondent in a case. He had joined virtual hearing from a lavatory on February 17. A video of the incident went viral and this prompted an inquiry. A report was sought by the Court from the Sola Police Station to identify the person in the video.
The investigation revealed that on February 17, someone named Kanubhai and behaved in an indecent manner, leading to his removal from the session. The individual attempted to rejoin, but since he appeared to be in a lavatory, he was disconnected again. Later, the same person rejoined using the another case number.
The High Court then passed an order on February 27, asking Patel and his father (the respondent in the matter) to remain present before the Court on March 5.
When the matter was taken up on March 5, advocate Amresh Patel, representing the father, informed the Court that while accessing the High Court’s website and joining the hearing via Zoom platform, the son mistakenly joined the online proceedings.
Since he was it was using the High Court’s website for the first time and had committed the error intentionally, he should be forgiven, the counsel prayed and also apologised to the Court.
The Court noted that the man held a BSc degree, was aged around degree, was around 42, and employed with the Reliance Group. Therefore, it could not be accepted that a person like him is not well-versed in operating Zoom application. In light of the same, the Court imposed costs of Rs 2 lakh on the man.
“This Court deems it fit to impose exemplary costs of Rs 2,00,000 to Dhaval Kanubhai Patel, who is present before this Court and same shall be deposited with the Registry within a period of two weeks from today. On depositing the costs, the Registry is directed to remit Rs 50,000 in the account of the Shishugruh Paldi, Ahmedabad. The remaining amount is to be deposited in the account of the Gujarat High Court Legal Aid Services Committee,” the court ordered.
