A trial court in Tis Hazari, Delhi recently slapped a ₹2,000 fine on a doctor for disrupting court proceedings by throwing rice on the courtroom floor, causing lawyers present to suspect that it may be an instance of "black magic."
According to the court's order, a surgeon named Chander Vibhas, who stands accused of murder, on August 11 deliberately threw rice on the courtroom floor.
The incident caused a 15–20 minute disruption in court proceedings. Judge Shefali Barnala Tandon observed that the surgeon's act violated Section 267 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which penalizes intentional insult or interruption to a public servant during judicial proceedings.
"This is very shocking and surprising to the Court that the present accused Dr. Chander Vibhas, who is stated to be a Surgeon by profession and belonging to educated and elite class, has acted in such unreasonable manner and created interruption in Court proceedings," the court said.
After the rice was thrown on the floor on the morning of August 11, lawyers present were hesitant to approach the court's dais for their matters, as counsel suspected the act to be linked to black magic.
The court directed the doctor to collect the rice and instructed staff to summon a sweeper to help in cleaning it up.
Consequently, court proceedings were halted until the sweeper arrived ten minutes later to clean the floor.
On enquiry, the doctor said that some rice in his hands had simply fallen down. However, he could not explain why he was carrying the rice in his hands when he entered court and while attending court proceedings.
The court staff present told the judge that rice was found on the courtroom floor on August 2 as well, when the accused doctor was physically present in court.
The accused doctor claimed he had attended the proceedings on August 2 through video conferencing. However, the court's order for that day confirmed that he had been physically present.
The doctor eventually apologised for his conduct and his lawyer assured the court that such conduct will not be repeated. His lawyer added that he had been misguided by someone else into doing the act and urged the court to show mercy.
The court eventually sentenced him to stay in court till its rising for the day and pay a ₹2,000 fine for obstructing judicial work.
"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," the court ordered.
The courtroom is a space where justice is sought and delivered, and maintaining its dignity is essential for rule of law, the judge added.
"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 undermined the judicial process but also threatens the very foundation of our legal system. Section 267 of BNS exists to ensure that the Courts can do their work without harassment or disturbance preserving both the order of proceedings and the authority of Law. The act done by the accused if go unchecked will erode the Court’s ability to function," the court remarked.
[Read Order]