Shocking! Advocate caught sipping beer during virtual court session in Gujarat | WATCH

Ahmedabad: In a shocking breach of courtroom decorum, a senior advocate was caught on camera sipping from a beer mug during a virtual court appearance before the Gujarat High Court.

The incident, which took place on June 25 during proceedings before Justice Sandeep Bhatt, has since gone viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage.

Reacting strongly, the Gujarat High Court on Tuesday initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against advocate Bhaskar Tanna, terming his conduct “outrageous and glaring.”

A division bench comprising Justice A.S. Supehia and Justice R.T. Vachhani observed that Tanna's designation as a senior counsel may be revoked due to the seriousness of the misconduct. However, the bench noted that a final decision would be taken after hearing the matter.

"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," Justice Supehia stated.

This "outrageous and glaring" act of Tanna has very wide ramifications, and if ignored or disregarded, it will be destructive to the rule of law, the court 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," it said.

A notice will be issued to Tanna, and he will be barred from appearing virtually before the batch.

"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 As per our opinion, his title should be withdrawn; however, that will be decided at a later stage," Justice Supehia stated.