The Kerala High Court was witness to unusual scenes this morning after judges, lawyers, and court staff were forced to leave the Chief Justice's courtroom due to a persistent stench.
A civet from the nearby Mangalavanam sanctuary was found to have snuck in at night.
The mess it left behind exuded such a terrible smell that the Division Bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji today adjourned all matters that were listed before it.
The Court rose after less than 20 minutes of sitting.
The High Court's proximity to the protected sanctuary has long been a point of consternation for wildlife conservators, animal lovers, and those of the legal community itself.
Large pythons and other animals have been seen close to the premises of the building.
This is one of the issues that was raised by those who called for moving the High Court from Kochi city to the suburb of Kalamassery.