A viral incident on June 20 showed a man in a yellow T-shirt joining a Gujarat High Court virtual hearing while seated on a toilet seat, triggering a swift and stern judicial response. The one-minute video begins with the litigant - identified as “Samad Battery” - logging in via mobile phone and later reveals he is on a toilet, shaking the sanctity of court proceedings.

The Division Bench, led by Justices A.S. Supehia and R.T. Vachhani, described the act as "disorderly and uncontrolled" and “tarnishing the image of court,” ordering suo motu contempt proceedings - a rare move highlighting seriousness . The court has directed its registry to issue show-cause notices and report back in two weeks.

This episode isn't isolated. Earlier this year, fines and community service were imposed for litigants appearing from inappropriate settings or drinking during hearings. Legal experts now urge clearer virtual-hearing guidelines, stricter protocols, and potentially barring non-lawyers from home video participation to preserve courtroom dignity even online.