The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday directed a man, who had appeared before the court via video call while sitting on a toilet seat, to perform community service in addition to paying a ₹1 lakh fine.

A bench of Justices AS Supehia and RT Vachhani came down strongly on the man's conduct, calling it a serious breach of courtroom decorum and dignity.

“By taking the instrument or going to a place like a toilet, the institution is dragged into that area, and that hurts. It’s very serious,” the Bench remarked during the hearing.

The Court observed that such behaviour amounted to reducing the sanctity of the institution. “He is participating in the process; he is dragging the High Court to the toilet. That obliterates its majesty,” the judges said.

While the man had already been fined ₹1 lakh for the act, the Court felt the penalty alone was not sufficient, and ordered that he must also engage in community service as a form of accountability.

The exact nature and duration of the service will be determined separately.