The Gujarat High Court initiated suo motu contempt of court proceedings against Senior Advocate Bhaskar Tanna following allegations that he consumed beer during a virtual court hearing.
The Division Bench comprising Justice A.S. Supehia and Justice R.T. Vachhani observed the conduct to be wholly unacceptable and unbecoming of a senior member of the Bar, stating that such behavior strikes at the core of the dignity and decorum of the judicial institution. Pending further directions, the Bench prohibited Tanna from appearing before them through virtual mode.
The Court also directed the Registry to inform the Chief Justice about the incident and stated that, subject to the Chief Justice's approval, the order may be circulated to other benches. “Till further orders, Shri Bhaskar Tanna shall not be permitted to appear through virtual mode before this bench,” the Court directed.
In a strong condemnation, the Court emphasized that the alleged act, which was captured in a video showing Tanna sipping what appeared to be beer during a hearing before Justice Sandeep Bhatt on June 26, extends beyond mere personal misconduct, as it potentially undermines public confidence in the judiciary.
Highlighting the wider implications, the Court remarked, “An act that erodes the dignity of this institution cannot be ignored. If left unchecked, such behavior poses a threat to the rule of law and the institutional integrity of the court itself.”
Furthermore, the Bench expressed concern over the potential influence of such conduct on younger members of the legal profession. “Senior advocates serve as role models for the Bar. The conduct displayed by Shri Tanna severely tarnishes the privilege associated with the title of senior counsel,” the Court noted, while observing that the continuation of his designation as Senior Advocate may warrant reconsideration.
Accordingly, the Court directed the Registry to initiate formal contempt proceedings, preserve the relevant video evidence, and issue a notice to the advocate. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing after two weeks.
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