In a dramatic turn of events at a local court in Darbhanga, Bihar, a well-known criminal lawyer was ordered to be taken into custody by the judge after he was caught misleading the court about his whereabouts.
The incident involved senior advocate Ambar Imam Hashmi, a prominent name in Darbhanga’s criminal law circles, who is also an accused in a 32-year-old murder case. Along with three others, he faces charges in the decades-old case, which was scheduled for hearing on Friday in the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge-III, Suman Kumar Diwakar.
Prior to the hearing, Hashmi submitted a Form 317 informing the court that he was out of the district and could not attend the proceedings. However, the situation took a surprising twist when Judge Diwakar spotted Hashmi appearing in the same courtroom later that day, arguing in a completely different case.
Upon seeing the advocate, the judge questioned him: how could he appear for argument while having informed the court that he was on leave and out of station? Finding the explanation unsatisfactory, the judge ordered that Hashmi be taken into custody immediately. The order caused a stir across the courtroom and the legal fraternity present.
Following the directive, a large police contingent arrived at the court and took Advocate Hashmi into custody. In the process, another lawyer, Sushil Kumar Chaudhary, who was accompanying Hashmi at the time, was also taken to Laheriasarai Police Station. Reports suggest that a scuffle broke out between police personnel and lawyers during the arrest, leading to alleged tearing of clothes and minor altercations.
Later, it was reported that Advocate Chaudhary was released, while legal circles continued to discuss the unusual incident and its implications on courtroom decorum and lawyer conduct.
