Advocate joins virtual hearing from -23°C in Sonamarg. Delhi HC judge compares her to Shankar Mahadevan

Delhi HC judge praises advocate for her speed and clarity. (Image: shreyasmriti.advocate/ shankar.mahadevan/ Instagram)

A court hearing this week caught the internet’s attention for an unusual reason. During a virtual session before the Delhi High Court, a woman advocate attended proceedings from a balcony in Sonamarg. The snow-covered hill station in Jammu and Kashmir had temperatures of -23°C at the time. Despite the freezing cold and mountains in the background, she delivered her arguments with focus and clarity.

Rather than being distracted by the stunning backdrop or the biting cold, she delivered her arguments with such clarity and speed that the presiding judge responded with praise that quickly became a talking point online.

The hearing was led by Justice Saurabh Banerjee, who noticed how fast and precise her arguments were. The judge mentioned the famous song ‘Breathless,’ sung by Shankar Mahadevan, which is known for its very fast lyrics, and said, “She can qualify for that. One breath, she is doing very fast.”

Justice Banerjee then praised her directly, saying, “You are very good, Ms Counsel.”

The advocate, identified as Shreya Smriti, shared the clip online with the caption, “Appearing virtually before the Delhi High Court from -23°C. Grateful for the kind appreciation by the Hon’ble Judge. For an advocate, professional responsibility remains the priority, wherever duty calls.”

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A post shared by Adv. Shreya Smriti ⚖️🧿 (@shreyasmriti.advocate)

Since being posted, the clip has received over a million views. Viewers shared a mix of admiration and humour in the comments. One user, praising the lawyer’s dedication and the snowy view, compared it to heaven and said, “Hence, proved advocates can also do work from heaven.” Another added, “Advocates are known for doing the impossible.” A third commented, “Soo wholesome!”

Several other viewers noted how the video showed the commitment of lawyers, even in challenging conditions, and said it was inspiring to see professional duty taken so seriously. One netizen expressed, “Getting appreciation from Justice Saurabh Banerjee is a big thing. He rarely does it. You must be really good with your legal craft to get such appreciation.”