If you do not respect the system, you will get no respect: Bombay High Court reprimands lawyer, refuses to accept his apology

Justice Sarang Kotwal of the Bombay High Court today reprimanded a lawyer for making statements against the Court without realising that his microphone was on during a virtual hearing..The young lawyer made a statement that people were coming into Justice Kotwal's court room despite a virtual hearing system being in place.Unaware that he was audible to all present, he said in Marathi, "Bagh Kotwal cha court madhye kiti gardi ahe" (See the crowd in Kotwal's court)..At that point, Justice Kotwal's courtroom video showed the presence of few public prosecutors, police constables and a party in person. While most courtrooms in the High Court were hearing matters strictly through video conference meetings, Justice Kotwal permitted the public prosecutor and police officers to come to the courtrooms. .When Justice Kotwal heard the statement, he immediately asked his court associate to find out who had made the statement.After the associate told him the name, Justice Kotwal discovered whose chamber he belonged to..Justice Kotwal was informed that the errant advocate had completed only a year in the profession. "Doesn't he have manners or etiquette on how to behave? Just one year in this profession and he is making comments against judges and courts," Justice Kotwal asked..When his senior apologised on his behalf, and submitted that she would ask him to remain present in the courtroom, Justice Kotwal directed the junior lawyer to log into the VC hearing. "Let everyone see who said what," Justice Kotwal said. .When he logged in through the VC hearing, the junior lawyer apologised profusely for saying what he did.Refusing to accept his apology, Justice Kotwal admonished him for his disrespectful statement. "The way you speak shows what you have been taught, your upbringing, the etiquette. Is this what your senior has taught you?" a miffed Justice Kotwal said. "Whom to permit or call in my courtroom is my prerogative. If the police and lawyers are not here, then matters cannot be heard. If you do not respect the Court, you will not get respect. You are young. Apart from legal knowledge, you need to learn conduct, decorum, how to address the Court," the judge said..Before dismissing him from the meeting, Justice Kotwal suggested that he learn court manners from his seniors and told his colleague who was present in the meeting, "Teach your junior!"