'Failed To Show Respect, Honour To Court': MP High Court Fines Lawyer ₹10K For Appearing On VC From Car

The Madhya Pradesh High Court, on Friday (August 1), imposed a fine of Rs. 10,000 on an advocate for appearing via video conferencing while seated inside a car, remarking that VC was not a facility were formality appearances can be relaxed and that dignity of court is compromised. 

A division bench of Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Anuradha Shukla in its order noted that the lawyer had appeared through video conferencing and "made submissions sitting inside a car". 

The court 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 court thereafter imposed "cost of  Rs.10,000/-" on the advocate for his "act of indiscretion and gross disregard for the Court". The court directed that the amount shall be deposited in the account of M.P. High Court Legal Services Committee, Jabalpur and the same shall be not returned.

The bench further listed the matter for August 26.

Case Title: Amrit Hones Private Limited v Income Tax Settlement Commission (WP-5443-2015)

Click here to read the Order