“If courts do not take strict action against such behavior, it may lead to a decline in the institution’s dignity in the public eye,” the Gujarat High Court remarked while imposing costs on a man for attending a virtual hearing from a lavatory.
In an order dated March 5, Justice MK Thakker condemned the act as “unacceptable and shameful,” imposing a penalty of ₹2 lakh on Dhavalbhai Kanubhai Ambalal Patel, a 42-year-old employed with Reliance Group.
The incident occurred on February 17, when Patel, the son of a respondent in a case, joined the virtual hearing via Zoom from a lavatory. A viral video of the incident led to an inquiry, with the Court directing Sola Police Station to identify the individual. It was revealed that Patel had joined under the name “Kanubhai” and was removed due to inappropriate behavior. He attempted to rejoin but was again disconnected as he appeared to be in a lavatory. Later, he joined using a different case number.
On February 27, the Court ordered Patel and his father to appear in person on March 5. During the hearing, their counsel, Amresh Patel, claimed the incident was unintentional, as Patel was using the High Court’s website for the first time. However, the Court rejected this explanation, noting that Patel held a B.Sc. degree and was expected to be familiar with the technology.
Consequently, the Court imposed ₹2 lakh as exemplary costs, directing Patel to deposit the amount within two weeks. Of this, ₹50,000 will be transferred to Shishugruh Paldi, Ahmedabad, and the remaining amount to the Gujarat High Court Legal Aid Services Authorities.
Advocate IG Joshi represented the petitioner, Gujarat State Cooperative Marketing Federation Limited, while Advocate Amresh N Patel appeared for Patel and his father.
