Court Dignity at Stake: Delhi HC Warns Against Casual Virtual Appearances

The Delhi High Court has strongly criticised the practice of lawyers attending virtual court hearings while travelling in moving vehicles.

In an order dated November 3, a Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela observed that this practice continues despite several reminders to the legal community.

The Bench remarked,

“Such mode of appearance before the Court not only causes inconvenience to the proceedings, but also results in sheer wastage of judicial time. It hampers the right to access to justice, which cannot be the aim of introducing virtual hearings.”

The observation came after a lawyer appeared before the court through video conferencing while travelling. Due to network issues, her submissions were interrupted, and she could only inform the Bench that she had filed her vakalatnama on November 2, 2025.

Although the court noted the conduct, it refrained from passing any adverse order. When the case was listed the next day, the lawyer appeared in person and apologised, saying,

“I have always made efforts to appear before the Court in person.”

The Bench appreciated her gesture but reminded her of the dignity attached to the legal profession.

“The dignity of the Court and the profession depends on lawyers like you. You must remain conscious of that dignity, if not for the Court, at least for the law as a profession,” the judges said.

The matter was eventually adjourned to a later date.