Smoke in courtroom! Delhi court summons litigant caught puffing cigarette during virtual hearing

A Delhi court has summoned a litigant who was seen smoking a cigarette while appearing in his case through video conference on March 25. .Additional District Judge Shiv Kumar of the Tis Hazari Court noted that the litigant Sushil Kumar was asked about his misconduct but he left the virtual courtroom instead of providing an explanation. His counsel also left the court after taking a date from the court, as per the order published today. Accordingly, the Court issued notice to Kumar for his physical presence before it on March 29."The applicant no.1/Sh. Sushil Kumar is directed to remain present in the Court on 29.03.2025 and file his explanation, as to why action should not be taken against him for smoking on the VC, during Court proceedings," the order said..As per available information, Kumar's case under Indian Succession Act was listed before the Court on Tuesday. A screenshot showing him smoking the cigarette soon went viral on the social media.As per the order, when the hearing of other cases was going, Kumar was caught talking on his phone. He was warned not to do so as it was disturbing the proceedings of court but since he did not listen to the Court's directions, his audio was muted. When his case came up for hearing, he was asked about his misconduct. In response, he apologized to the Court and gave an assurance that he will not repeat such misconduct..However, when the Court began to dictate the order, Kumar was seen smoking the cigarette. It prompted the judge to summon him. .Meanwhile, another image has also gone viral on social media in which a man can be seen wearing only an undershirt while appearing virtually before the Delhi High Court. The screenshot of the virtual courtroom also revealed the judge's exasperation over the apparent lack of decorum in the hybrid courtroom..While it is not known why the man was appearing before the single-judge, the High Court had earlier this year expressed concern over the lack of decorum in virtual hearings and had urged the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) to sensitise lawyers on proper conduct.The order was passed after an advocate sought to represent appellants in a case while standing in a park with a mobile phone..[Read Tis Hazari Court order]