The Gujarat High Court has fined a litigant ₹50,000 for smoking a cigarette during a video conference hearing before a Single Bench last month.
A Division Bench comprising Justice AS Supehia and Justice Nisha M Thakore issued the order on April 4 in a suo motu contempt case against the individual, identified as Vishwabhai Jayantilalbhai Varsani. The court stated that his behavior undermined the dignity and image of the High Court and directed him to pay the fine within two weeks.
Varsani did not deny the act and offered an unconditional apology. His lawyer informed the court that he is undergoing treatment for alcohol use disorder and a personality disorder.