The Madhya Pradesh High Court has imposed a fine of ₹10,000 on a lawyer who appeared for court proceedings via video conferencing while seated in a car, holding that such conduct reflected a lack of respect for the institution.
A Division Bench of Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Anuradha Shukla took strong exception to the lawyer’s casual approach, observing that the facility of virtual hearings is meant to assist those who genuinely cannot be present in court — not to dilute the formality or decorum of proceedings.
The Bench noted that while video conferencing is provided as a convenience, it does not give counsel the liberty to appear in a manner that compromises the dignity of the Court. Appearing from a car, the Court said, fails to meet the expected standards of professional conduct and shows insufficient regard for judicial proceedings.
Consequently, the lawyer was directed to deposit ₹10,000 with the High Court Legal Services Committee as a penalty for the inappropriate mode of appearance.
