The Gujarat High Court recently imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on a litigant who was found smoking a cigarette while appearing through video conferencing before a Single Bench last month..The Division Bench of Justice AS Supehia and Justice Nisha M Thakore passed the order on April 4 in a suo motu contempt case against the litigant identified as Vishwabhai Jayantilalbhai Varsani.The Bench ruled that Varsani's act amounted to tarnishing the majesty and image of the High Court and ordered him to pay the fine within two weeks..Varsani did not deny his act and tendered an unconditional apology. His counsel also submitted that he suffers from alcohol use disorder and "personality disorder" for which he is undertaking treatment.Accordingly, the Court passed the following order,"Since the opponent has already admitted the charge, no further proceedings are required to be undertaken.".The suo motu proceedings had been initiated on the basis of an order passed by Justice Hasmukh D Suthar before whom Varsani was appearing on March 11. He had inadvertently entered the virtual courtroom via the Zoom link despite the fact that his matter was listed the next day, as per his counsel. According to a report submitted by the Registrar (SCMS & ICT), Varsani logged into the virtual hearing session five separate times under the name "Vishwaraj Varsani." .Justice Suthar in the order passed on March 12 had observed that Varsani's conduct amounted to criminal contempt. “The act of smoking and his postures and gestures during the live streaming clearly showing no any deference. This Court having prima facie found that the posture and gesture of Mr. Vishwabhai Jayantilalbhai Varsani – alleged contemnor amounts to lowering down the authority and undermine the majesty and dignity of institution and dis repute to the Judiciary,” the Court had remarked.The single-judge had also opined that such behavior violated the Gujarat High Court (Live Streaming of Court Proceedings) Rules, 2021, specifically Rule 5(j), which mandates decorum in online proceedings.Accordingly, the Court had directed issuance of notice to Varsani with a further direction to the registry to register the case as a suo motu contempt proceeding. .Smoke in courtroom! Delhi court summons litigant caught puffing cigarette during virtual hearing.During the hearing of the contempt proceedings, the Division Bench on Friday was inclined to impose costs of ₹2 Lakh. However, on a request made by Varsani, the Court reduced the amount to ₹50,000.
