[VC Hearing] Counsel Refuses To Switch Camera On For Want Of 'Uniform': Allahabad HC Calls It 'Objectionable', Adjourns Matter
The Allahabad High Court today adjourned the hearing in a bail application as the counsel appearing for the petitioner refused to switch his camera on due to the fact that he wasn't in uniform.The Bench of Justice Samit Gopal called it 'objectionable' and listed the matter for further hearing on March 15, 2022.Essentially, the Counsel for the lawyer was connected through video conferencing...
The Allahabad High Court today adjourned the hearing in a bail application as the counsel appearing for the petitioner refused to switch his camera on due to the fact that he wasn't in uniform.
The Bench of Justice Samit Gopal called it 'objectionable' and listed the matter for further hearing on March 15, 2022.
Essentially, the Counsel for the lawyer was connected through video conferencing and his camera is switched off. When he was directed to turn on his camera, he said that since he is not in the uniform and as such he cannot switch it on.
To this, calling it as 'objectionable, the Court adjourned the matter after recording the presence of counsel for the State.
In related news, the Allahabad High Court had, last year, reprimanded a Lawyer who appeared through VC mode accompanied by another person who was visible on screen, "bare body and without a shirt"
Last year itself, the Allahabad High Court yesterday termed the act of the lawyer as 'unacceptable' who was trying to dress himself up while the Court was dictating the Order in a bail application.
"Learned counsel appearing for the applicant is not in proper uniform as per the modalities of functioning of the Court. He is trying to dress up, when the order is being dictated. This is not acceptable," the Court had said
The order by the bench of Justice Rahul Chaturvedi had come days after the office bearers of the Bar Associations of the High Court were asked to advise their members, not to adopt any casual approach while appearing before this Court through virtual mode which may cause hurdles in the administration of justice.
The Court had expressed its shock when the learned counsel for a bail applicant while sitting in a car, wanted to address the Court on the merits of the case and remarked:
Case title - Ajay v. State Of U.P. Through Secretary Home