Delhi Court Penalizes Accused for Inadequate Video Conferencing Facilities

A court fined an accused Rs 1,000 for causing a delay in a rioting case due to technical issues during a video conference appearance. The court noted that the accused's video link was unstable, despite being given the option of appearing through VC. The judge expressed dissatisfaction and emphasized the responsibility of litigants to ensure proper arrangements for VC appearances.

A court here on Wednesday imposed a cost of Rs 1,000 on an accused for causing an adjournment by not ensuring ''sufficient arrangement'' for appearing via video conferencing (VC).

Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala was hearing a rioting case registered by the Khajuri Khas police station which was at the stage of prosecution submitting its evidence.

The court noted that the examination of a Delhi Police official was deferred because accused Sarfaraz opted to appear through VC, but his video was not working.

It said despite waiting for Sarfaraz's proper appearance, the video was not running consistently and the accused said ''the network at his side was not good''.

''Delhi High Court has permitted the appearance of any litigant through VC, but that does not mean that it would be a fluctuating kind of appearance,'' the court said.

''Once any litigant or any counsel opts to appear through VC, it is his responsibility to ensure sufficient arrangement for appearance through VC, which should be without any break in video and audio,'' it added.

Expressing its dissatisfaction, the court imposed a cost of Rs 1,000 on the accused ''for causing the adjournment''.

The case has been posted on May 8 for further proceedings.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)