Advocate Appears In "Baniyan" (undervest) On VC Hearing, Rajasthan HC Adjourns Matter

In an interesting development, the Rajasthan High Court on Friday adjourned a Bail plea on account of inappropriately dressed counsel in a "baniyan" (undervest) during the Videoconference hearing.

Affronted by the advocate's "inappropriate" attire, the Single Judge bench of Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma adjourned the hearing and observed that Lawyers must appear in proper uniform during Video Conference hearings.

"Learned counsel for the petitioner was contacted through video conferencing he was found to be wearing Baniyan. This court has already observed that during this pandemic where court functioning is being done through video conferencing lawyers must appear in proper uniform" the Court noted.

The Court further observed that even though in-person hearings have been replaced with VC hearings during the lockdown imposed due to the pandemic, lawyers must maintain decorum while pleading for their clients.

"The Advocates Act provides for lawyers to wear uniform while pleading case for their clients" Justice Sharma observed.

In related news, the Single bench of Justice Sharma had earlier this month, on April 7, asked the High Court Bar Association to direct all lawyers to appear in their uniforms during hearings via Video conferencing.

Notably, a Counsel had appeared in his baniyan on this hearing as well. 

The Bar Association officials had assured Justice Sharma that he same shall be done.