Delhi Court Fines Accused For Halting Proceedings By Throwing Rice On Floor, Lawyers Suspect Black Magic

A Delhi Court recently sentenced a Doctor accused in a case to pay Rs. 2000 fine for halting court proceedings by throwing rice on the floor, suspected by lawyers in the courtroom to be black magic.

Additional Sessions Judge Shefali Barnala Tandon of Tis Hazari Courts said that the accused interrupted the judicial proceeding by 15-20 minutes due to his over act, adding that the act done, if goes unchecked, will erode the Court's ability to function.

“The Court Room is a space where justice is sought and delivered and maintaining its dignity is essential for Rule of Law. Disrespect towards the Court or disruption of judicial proceedings sends a damaging public message and such overt act/behaviour of accused today not only disrupted the Court proceedings and undermind the judicial process but also threatens the very foundation of our legal system,” the Court said.

The judge was informed by Naib Court (Prosecution), a head constable and the lawyers present in the Court that the accused had thrown some rice on the floor under the dias. 

Upon asking, the accused said that he was having some rice in his hands which had just fallen down.

The judge noted that the accused failed to explain as to why he was carrying rice in his hands while entering the Court and during Court proceedings.

The staff members informed the Court that even on one previous occasion when the accused had apparently appeared but the judge was on leave, some rice was found thrown on the floor of the Court.

In its order, the judge recorded that the lawyers present in the Courtroom were hesitant to approach the dias after the incident.

The Court then directed the accused to collect the rice from the floor and called for a sweeper, leading to disruption of proceedings for 15-20 minutes.

The judge said that it was very shocking and surprising that the accused, who was a Surgeon and belonged to educated and elite class, had acted in such unreasonable manner and created interruption in court proceedings.

“Accordingly, this Court is constrained to take cognizance of the offence under Section 267 BNS, 2023 against accused Dr.Chander Vibhas since proceedings of the Court were halted for about 15-20 minutes and it is triable by this very Court where the said offence has been committed,” the judge said.

“After considering all the facts and circumstances including apology tendered by accused and his feeling of remorse, he is sentenced to undergo imprisonment till rising of the Court and fine of Rs.2,000/- to be deposited with State. Fine deposited vide receipt No. 0510220,” it added.