Litigant’s relative to pay ₹1 lakh costs after Bombay High Court catches him recording court proceedings

The Bombay High Court on Thursday caught a litigant’s relative secretly recording court proceedings on audio. After the court staff confronted him about the act, he agreed to pay ₹1 lakh as a cost for the misconduct..A Bench of Justices A S Gadkari and Kamal Khata was hearing a property dispute between two brothers.During the hearing on February 27, the court staff noticed the individual, later identified as Sajid Abdul Jabbar Patel, recording the session on his mobile phone without permission..Upon being confronted, Patel admitted that he didn’t have approval to record the proceedings, which is against court rules. As a result, the staff seized his mobile phone, switched it off and sent it to the court registry for safekeeping.Patel, a relative of one of the respondents in the case, showed his Aadhaar card, revealing that he lives in Kharghar in Raigad district. His actions were immediately brought to the attention of advocate Hiten Venegavkar, the lawyer representing the litigant (relative) in the case, who acknowledged that Patel had no permission to record and said his actions couldn’t be justified..However, Venegavkar requested the court to show leniency, explaining that it was Patel’s first mistake. He also informed the court that Patel was willing to pay the ₹1 lakh costs to the High Court Employees Medical Welfare Fund.The Court accepted this statement as an undertaking and directed the fine to be paid within three days of the order being posted on the court’s website. The details for payment were shared, and the court will review the payment on March 5 to ensure it has been made. .Advocate Ajay S Patil appeared for the petitioner.Advocate Meet Sawant instructed by KP Law Associates LLP appeared for Panvel Municipal Corporation.Advocate Hiten Venegavkar along with advocate Harsh Dedhia appeared for individuals respondentsAdditional Government Pleader Savina R Crasto appeared for the State..[Read Order]