Delhi HC Reprimands Lawyer for Joining Virtual Hearing from Park, Asks Bar to Sensitize Members

The Delhi High Court recently pulled up a lady lawyer who appeared before it via videoconferencing while walking in a park.

A bench led by Justice Girish Kathpalia observed, "Despite repeated directions, certain sections of the Bar have failed to understand the decorum of the Court."

The judge noted that the facility of videoconferencing, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, was extended to allow counsel to appear virtually from their offices, so they could avoid running between various court complexes across Delhi.

Taking exception to the conduct in the present matter, the court remarked that this did not mean counsel could appear while standing in a park.

The single-judge bench also reiterated its earlier direction to all Bar Associations across Delhi, urging them to sensitise their members about proper conduct during hybrid court proceedings.

“Considering the above circumstances, I am not inclined to mark the presence of the counsel appearing through videoconferencing from a park. However, the litigant should not suffer on account of such fault,” the court said.

The High Court was hearing a bail plea filed by an accused in FIR No. 324/2024 registered at PS Burari, under Sections 498A, 304B, 34 of the IPC.

Ultimately, the Court directed that a copy of the present order be sent to Bar Associations across Delhi with a renewed request to sensitise members on appropriate conduct during videoconferencing hearings.

The matter will next be heard on 14 August 2025

Case Title: SURAJ DAS versus STATE, NCT OF DELHI

Read order here: