‘Feel sorry, absolutely sorry…’: Senior Advocate apologises to Gujarat HC judge after video shows him ‘drinking from beer mug’ during virtual proceedings
In a brief courtroom exchange with Justice Sandeep Bhatt, Senior Advocate Bhaskar Tanna said that the video grab in which he is seen sipping from a beer mug was not part of a proceeding involving him, but an incident that occurred when he was waiting for his turn
2 min read
The court had said, “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...”
A day after the Gujarat High Court initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against a Senior Advocate for allegedly “having a drink in a beer mug” and “talking on the phone” while appearing in a virtual court proceeding on June 26, the lawyer in question on Wednesday appeared before Justice Sandeep Bhatt — in whose court the incident had occurred — and tendered an unconditional apology.
In a brief courtroom exchange with Justice Bhatt, Senior Advocate Bhaskar Tanna said that the 15-second video grab, showing him sipping from a beer mug, was not part of a proceeding involving him but an incident that occurred when he was waiting for his turn.
Tanna told the court, “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.”
After hearing the Senior Advocate, Justice Bhatt said that such incidents should not take place. “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,” Justice Bhatt said.
On Tuesday, Tanna had personally appeared before the Division Bench of Justice Supehia and Justice Vachhani after the order had been passed to issue contempt proceedings, and tendered an unconditional apology. The court had said, “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…”
You May Like
