New Delhi [India], February 15 (HBTV): Delhi's Karkardooma Court on Friday reprimanded lawyer Mehmood Pracha for misusing video conferencing facilities by appearing while walking in an open area and later from a moving motor vehicle.
The incident occurred during a hearing related to the North East Delhi riots case involving Tahir Hussain. Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala expressed strong disapproval, stating that such misuse of video conferencing must be stopped.
ASJ Pulastya Pramachala remarked, 'This is another glaring misuse of V/C, which has to be stopped.'
The court had initially waited for Advocate Mehmood Pracha before he joined the proceedings via video conferencing. Pracha requested that his plea for a 30-minute passover be recorded. However, in an order issued on February 14, the judge stated, 'I do not find any kind of professionalism behind such conduct and submissions of Mr. Mehmood Pracha.'
The court noted that it had waited for Pracha at the request of his associate but did not see his appearance except for his name. Consequently, the court directed Advocate Mohd. Hasan to proceed, granting one last opportunity for the cross-examination of witness Mukesh Tyagi on the next hearing date, subject to costs.
The order further stated, 'Thereafter, Mr. Mehmood Pracha appeared through V/C while walking in open land through a mobile phone and thereafter, he continued appearing through V/C while being in a moving motor vehicle.'
The court objected to such an appearance, citing the Delhi High Court's recent observations in the case of Shobha Verma vs. Ashok Kapoor on January 30 regarding the misuse of video conferencing for court proceedings.
The judge ruled that since Advocate Mohd. Hasan had already been informed of the opportunity granted, the decision would not be recalled. The court further directed that on the next date, the defence counsel for accused Anas must appear at the scheduled time without making any requests for passover, ensuring compliance with the rules set by the Delhi High Court.
Additionally, the court ordered the accused Anas to pay INR 2,000 as diet money to the prosecution witness at the next hearing.
(ANI)