Delhi HC fines man ₹10,000 for appearing in a vest during virtual hearing

“Even though the proceedings were being conducted through VC, he should have appeared before the court in proper clothes,” the judge said, adding that the cost be paid to the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee within a week

The Delhi high court fined a man ₹10,000 for appearing in a vest during a virtual hearing, saying that such conduct was “totally unacceptable”.

The judge gave the order while hearing a plea seeking the quashing of an FIR related to domestic violence and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code . (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar said the person, one of the parties in the case, should have appeared properly clothed.

“During the course of video conferencing (VC), petitioner number 5 appeared through VC for identification by the investigating officer in his vest.The conduct of the petitioner no 5 in appearing before the court in his vest is totally unacceptable,” the judge said in an order dated November 8.

“Even though the proceedings were being conducted through VC, he should have appeared before the court in proper clothes,” the judge said, adding that the cost be paid to the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee within a week.

The judge gave the order while hearing a plea seeking the quashing of an FIR related to domestic violence and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The court was informed during the proceedings that the party had amicably settled the matter and the marriage had been dissolved.

“Keeping in view the above facts and circumstances, since the matter has been amicably settled between the parties, no useful purpose will be served by keeping the case pending. It will be nothing but abuse of the process of law.

“Consequentially, this petition is allowed and FIR...shall stand quashed,” the judge said.