Female Lawyer Argues Case from Moving Car During Virtual Hearing — Delhi High Court Expresses Strong Displeasure

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New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has strongly criticized the irresponsible conduct of advocates appearing in virtual hearings while traveling or engaging in other unrelated activities. Despite repeated reminders, such practices continue unabated, the court observed.

A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, in an order dated November 3, remarked that several members of the Bar still appear before the court via video conferencing from inappropriate settings, including moving vehicles. The bench noted that this not only disrupts court proceedings but also results in a waste of valuable judicial time.

“The court does not appreciate such conduct,” the bench stated, emphasizing that such behavior undermines the very objective of ensuring access to justice through technology. The judges added that this manner of appearance hampers the smooth functioning of virtual hearings and reflects poorly on the dignity of the legal profession.

The observations came during a hearing where a female advocate appeared virtually from a moving car. Her submissions were repeatedly interrupted due to connectivity issues, and she could only inform the bench that she had filed the vakalatnama for her client on November 2, 2025. The bench recorded her conduct but refrained from passing any adverse order at that stage.

When the case was taken up again on Tuesday, the advocate appeared in person before the court and offered an unconditional apology. She clarified that she generally makes every effort to be present before the court in person.

Emphasizing the importance of professional decorum, the bench noted, “The dignity of the court and the legal profession rests on members like you. You must preserve that dignity — if not for the court, then at least for the profession of law.”

The court eventually adjourned the matter to a later date, underscoring that while technology facilitates access to justice, it should not come at the cost of the court’s decorum and sanctity.