A bizarre and disrespectful act during a virtual court hearing has triggered sharp reactions after a video went viral showing a man attending Gujarat High Court proceedings from a toilet.
The incident occurred on June 20, during a videoconference hearing before Justice Nirzar S Desai of the Gujarat High Court. In the video, the man appeared under the name “Samad Battery” in the Zoom meeting and was visibly seated on a toilet seat, wearing earphones, and at one point placing his phone on the floor while cleaning himself. Despite the inappropriateness of the setting, the proceedings continued, and an advocate can be seen making submissions inside the courtroom.
The hearing was related to a criminal case under the Negotiable Instruments Act involving a cheque bounce. The man, reportedly the complainant in the case, was appearing as a respondent in a petition seeking quashing of the FIR.
This is not the first time such incidents have occurred during remote proceedings in the Gujarat High Court. In March this year, the Court imposed a fine of ₹2 lakh and directed a man to perform community service after he attended a hearing from a lavatory. Similarly, in February, another individual was fined ₹25,000 for joining court proceedings while lying on a bed.
These recurring episodes have raised serious concerns over decorum and respect for judicial institutions, particularly in the context of virtual courtrooms. The Gujarat High Court has previously emphasized the importance of maintaining courtroom discipline, even during online hearings, warning that leniency in such matters could undermine the dignity of the judiciary.
The High Court is yet to announce any formal action in the latest incident.
