The Gujarat High Court today sought a clarification from a man who was caught recording the court proceedings on his cell-phone.
The incident occurred in the court-room of division bench of justice M R Shah and justice G R Udhwani, when one judge of the bench, found one Vinod Shah recording the court proceedings during hearing on his PIL.
The High Court later passed an order and directed Shah to explain his conduct by filing a reply on August 12.
"When the hearing of the present petitions were going on, it was noticed by my learned brother Judge (G R Udhwani) that somebody is recording the conversation and the court proceedings in his mobile," said the order passed by the bench.
"On inquiry it is found to be true. He is one Vinod B Shah, a resident of 24, Rajulpark Society, opposite ONGC, Sabarmati, Ahmedabad. His aforesaid conduct cannot be tolerated," it added.
"Kamal Trivedi, Advocate General, and Yatin Oza, President of the Bar Association, and all other advocates present in the Court have unanimously voiced that such a conduct cannot be tolerated," said the order.
"Before any further action is taken, we deem it fit to give an opportunity to the aforesaid Vinod B Shah to explain his conduct," it added.
"Under the circumstances, Vinod B Shah is hereby directed to explain his conduct of recording the court's proceedings in his mobile. His explanation shall be submitted on or before the next date of hearing on August 12," the court directed.
The High Court bench has also ordered to keep Shah's cellphone in custody of the court officer.
Shah had filed a PIL before the High Court in the year 2013 seeking action against illegal commercial activities in residential areas of the old Ahmedabad city.
He had also demanded the court's intervention to protect the heritage buildings of the old city area here.
