Madhya Pradesh High Court slaps ₹10K fine on lawyer appearing on VC from car

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday imposed a fine of ₹10,000 on a lawyer for appearing before court proceedings through virtual mode (VC) while sitting in a car.

A Division Bench of Justice Atul Sreedharan and Anuradha Shukla said that facility of video conference is to facilitate appearance of lawyers who are not able to be present before the Court physically.

However, by appearing on video conference from car, the concerned lawyer has failed to show respect to the Court, the Bench said.

"The facility of arguments through video conferencing is given to facilitate the counsels, who are unable to mark their presence before Court physically and submit their arguments. It is, however, not a facility where the formality of such appearances can be relaxed of appearing through V.C. in such a manner that the dignity of the Court is compromised and has failed to show appropriate respect and honour to the Court,” the Bench said. 

Hence, it proceeded to impose a fine of ₹10,000. The same has to be deposited with the High Court Legal Services Committee, the Court clarified.