A senior lawyer appeared before Gujarat High Court after a video of him sipping from a beer mug during a virtual hearing went viral. He apologised unconditionally, calling it a technical error while waiting for his turn.
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Ahmedabad: In a surprising incident that has sparked online discussion, the Gujarat High Court took suo motu (on its own) contempt action against a well-known Senior Advocate, Bhaskar Tanna, after a short 15-second video surfaced online. The clip allegedly showed him “having a drink in a beer mug” and “talking on the phone” during a virtual court hearing on June 26.
A day after the High Court initiated these contempt proceedings, Bhaskar Tanna appeared before Justice Sandeep Bhatt, the judge in whose court the virtual incident took place.
He offered a full, unconditional apology for the confusion.
While speaking directly to the judge inside the courtroom, Tanna clarified that the video was recorded not during the official hearing, but while he was waiting for his matter to begin.
He stated:
“What has come on the screen is not during hearing and the matter was not going on. As a matter of fact, I was closing my computer… But the 15 second clip has come… I must feel sorry, absolutely sorry and I unconditionally apologised yesterday before the Division Bench (of Justice A S Supehia and Justice R T Vachhani) and I do it here because I have respect for the institution and I have done a lot of things for computerisation (of court proceedings)… Error sometimes, technically takes place… I was waiting for my turn and I was told it would take place after the recess.”
Justice Sandeep Bhatt responded to the Senior Advocate’s statement by acknowledging that he believed there was no intentional misconduct. However, he also stressed that such events should not occur and that they affect the dignity of the court.
He said:
“I have no doubt that there is no deliberate attempt on your part but at the same time, it should not have happened… It is not in good taste and the message goes out to the society… Not only in your case, but instances happen everyday.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Bhaskar Tanna had personally appeared before a Division Bench comprising Justice A S Supehia and Justice R T Vachhani, after the order was passed to initiate contempt proceedings. There too, he had tendered an unconditional apology.
The Division Bench had responded by stating:
“Whatever you want to submit, you can do so in the next hearing… We will consider your submission during the proceeding, provided it comes in writing…”
YESTERDAY IN GUJARAT HC
The Gujarat High Court on July 2 initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against senior counsel Bhaskar Tanna for his “outrageous and glaring” conduct during a virtual hearing, where he was seen sipping from a beer mug and speaking on the phone.
A division bench comprising Justice A.S. Supehia and Justice R.T. Vachhani indicated that Tanna’s title as senior counsel should be revoked due to his behavior, but further action will be determined after the case is heard.
The incident took place on June 25 before a bench led by Justice Sandeep Bhatt, and a video clip of the event went viral on social media shortly thereafter.
Justice Supehia noted,
“A video clip of high court proceedings widely circulated in social media shows his contemptuous behaviour of talking on the phone and also having a drink in a beer mug while attending the hearing,”
The court emphasized that Tanna’s “outrageous and glaring” actions have significant implications, and ignoring them would undermine the rule of law.
Also Read: Lawyer, An Advocate, An Attorney, And Solicitor: Differences Explained
The bench stated,
“We direct the registry to initiate suo motu contempt of court proceedings against senior counsel Bhaskar Tanna. The registry will submit a report before the next date of hearing,”
In legal terms, “suo motu” refers to a court taking action on its own accord, without a formal request from another party.
The high court has instructed the registry to issue a notice to Tanna and has prohibited him from appearing virtually in future hearings.
Justice Supehia remarked,
“The demeanour of Tanna defies the privilege of senior counsel conferred upon him by the court. As per our opinion, his title should be withdrawn; however, that will be decided at a later stage,”
The contempt proceedings are set to be heard in two weeks. A disturbing video clip that had circulated a week earlier depicted a man participating in a Gujarat High Court proceeding while sitting on a toilet seat.
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