[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 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 saidIn June 2021, the Allahabad High Court had pulled up a lawyer who, while sitting in the car, was trying to argue the case from the car itself. The Allahabad High Court had also directed the Registrar General, High Court to frame a set of rules for 'do's and don'ts' for the lawyers while addressing the Courts.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:"The lawyers must bear in their mind that they are participating in a solemn proceeding before the courts and not sitting in their drawing rooms or passing leisurely time."Case title - Ajay v. State Of U.P. Through Secretary HomeClick Here To Read/Download Order

[VC Hearing] Counsel Refuses To Switch Camera On For Want Of 'Uniform': Allahabad HC Calls It 'Objectionable', Adjourns Matter

Sparsh Upadhyay

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