The Gujarat High Court recently fined a 42-year-old man ₹2 lakh for attending a virtual court hearing from a lavatory.  

Justice MK Thakker, who issued the order, deemed the act inappropriate and disrespectful, stating that it undermined the dignity of the Court.

"In such scenario, the indecent act is not only unacceptable but it is a 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 public," the Court said in its order of March 5.

Dhavalbhai Kanubhai Ambalal Patel, the son of a respondent in a case, joined a virtual Gujarat High Court hearing from a lavatory on February 17.  

A video of the incident went viral, prompting the Court to initiate an inquiry. The Sola Police Station was directed to identify the individual in the video. The investigation revealed that a person had joined the hearing under the name “Kanubhai” and displayed inappropriate behavior, leading to his removal from the session. He attempted to rejoin but was disconnected again as he appeared to be in a lavatory. Later, he re-entered using another case number.  

On February 27, the Court ordered Patel and his father to appear before it on March 5.

When the case was taken up, advocate Amresh Patel, representing the father, informed the Court that Patel had mistakenly joined the proceedings while accessing the High Court’s website via Zoom.

The counsel explained that it was his first time using the platform and apologized on his behalf.  

However, the Court noted that Patel, a 42-year-old B.Sc. graduate employed with the Reliance Group, could not claim unfamiliarity with the Zoom application. Finding his actions unacceptable, the Court imposed a cost of ₹2 lakh on him.

"This Court deems it fit to impose exemplary costs of ₹2,00,000 to the 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 ₹50,000 in the account of the Shishugruh Paldi, Ahmedabad and remaining amount in the account of the Gujarat High Court Legal Aid Services Authorities."