Flushed with Contempt? Man Joins Gujarat High Court Hearing from Toilet – Video Goes Viral!
Ahmedabad (The Uttam Hindu) : In a bizarre and shocking incident during an online hearing at the Gujarat High Court, a man appearing as a respondent was seen defecating in a toilet while still logged into the court’s video conferencing platform. The episode unfolded in front of Justice Nirjar S. Desai on June 20, raising serious concerns about decorum during virtual court proceedings.
According to legal news platform Bar and Bench, the man had logged in under the name ‘Samad Battery’ and was visibly wearing Bluetooth earphones around his neck during the hearing. The video feed showed him placing his phone aside, presumably while seated on a toilet, and then captured him cleaning himself before exiting the washroom. He was later seen entering a different room, still connected to the court session.
Who Was the Man on Camera?
Court records indicate that the man was a respondent in a petition seeking the quashing of an FIR. Ironically, he was also the original complainant in the same criminal case. His actions during the live proceeding have now drawn sharp criticism from the legal fraternity and public alike.
Not the First Time: Another Virtual Mishap in April
This is not the first time the Gujarat High Court has witnessed inappropriate behavior during a virtual session. In April 2024, a man was seen smoking a cigarette while appearing before the court via video conferencing — another instance that raised eyebrows and highlighted the need for better awareness and enforcement of virtual courtroom etiquette.
Legal and Ethical Concerns Mount
The latest incident has once again brought into focus the challenges posed by remote court hearings, especially in maintaining the sanctity and discipline traditionally expected in judicial settings. While virtual proceedings have improved accessibility and efficiency, they have also led to frequent lapses in decorum. Legal experts say such behavior could amount to contempt of court and call for stricter guidelines and accountability for participants attending hearings virtually.
What Happens Next?
It remains to be seen whether the High Court will initiate contempt proceedings or issue a warning to the individual involved. As the judiciary increasingly embraces digital transformation, such incidents underline the pressing need for mandatory training or awareness for litigants and their representatives about virtual courtroom conduct.
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