Patna HC Refuses To Take Notice Of Public Prosecutor's Appearance Due To Improper Uniform

BACKGROUND

• Due to the ongoing pandemic situation, courts around the country have opted for Virtual Courts through video conferencing.
• Time and again there had been instances where the prosecutors, defendants, and parties to the case have appeared before the court in improper dress code harming the sanctity of the court.
• Patna High Court witnessed the same instance on 30th June 2021.

CASE BEFORE THE COURT

• The bench of Justice Madhuresh Prasad sat to hear the criminal matter on 30th June 2021 but the proceedings did not go as planned.
• Assistant Public Prosecutor, Navin Kumar Pandey, representing the state, appeared before the bench in improper uniform.

OBSERVATION OF THE COURT

• The court refused to take notice of the appearance of the prosecutor.
• The court was adjourned to be listed on 2 July 2021 and the prosecutor was asked to address the court on the given date.

SIMILAR INSTANCES IN OTHER COURTS

• The Allahabad High Court declined to hear an advocate last week as he was riding a scooter while appearing before the Court.
• The Orissa High Court this year imposed a fine of Rs 500 on an advocate as he was not wearing a neckband during a virtual hearing.
• Last year the Supreme Court granted an apology to an advocate who appeared before the court wearing T-shirt and lying on the bed.

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