In an extraordinary turn of events, a Delhi court summarily convicted a surgeon under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, for intentionally interrupting judicial proceedings by throwing rice on the courtroom floor. The incident, which fellow lawyers present suspected was an act of “Black Magic,” led to the proceedings being halted for nearly 20 minutes. The accused pleaded guilty and was sentenced to imprisonment till the rising of the court and a fine.
Background of the Incident
The matter unfolded on August 11, 2025, during a hearing in the case of State Vs. Chander Vibhash. The accused, Dr. Chander Vibhash, was physically present in the courtroom of ASJ Shefali Barnala Tandon. During the proceedings, the court’s orderly, Sh. Vicky Singh, and the Naib Court (Prosecution), HC Naveen, reported to the judge that the accused had thrown rice on the floor beneath the dais. This was corroborated by several lawyers present in the court.
When questioned by the court, the accused stated that he was carrying some rice in his hands which had “just fallen down”. However, the order noted that “he fails to explain as to why he was carrying rice in his hands while entering the Court and during Court proceedings”.
Court staff, including the Reader and Senior P.A., also informed the judge that rice had similarly been found thrown on the court floor on a previous date, August 2, 2025, when the court was on leave. While the accused claimed to have appeared via video conferencing that day, court records confirmed he was physically present.
The act caused significant disruption, with lawyers present in the packed courtroom requesting the judge to have the rice cleaned as “they hesitate to approach the dias”. The order recorded that the lawyers “suspect Black Magic by accused”. Consequently, the court proceedings were halted, and a sweeper was called to clean the floor. After initially being directed to collect the rice himself, the accused later kneeled down and apologized for his act.
Court’s Analysis and Decision
Observing that the accused’s actions had interrupted the judicial proceedings for 15-20 minutes, ASJ Tandon took immediate cognizance of the offence under Section 267 of the BNS, 2023. The court reproduced the section, which penalizes anyone who “intentionally offers any insult, or causes any interruption to any public servant, while such public servant is sitting in any stage of a judicial proceeding” with imprisonment up to six months or a fine, or both.
The judge made strong observations about the sanctity of the judicial process, stating, “The Court Room is a space where justice is sought and delivered and maintaining its dignity is essential for Rule of Law”. The court further noted, “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 order also referred to the objectives of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013, to underscore the legislative intent to combat such practices which exploit public ignorance.
The judge expressed surprise at the accused’s conduct, noting, “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”.
A formal notice of the offence was given to the accused, who, assisted by his counsels, pleaded guilty and apologized for his conduct. His counsel submitted that the accused was “misguided by someone” and was feeling remorseful.
Accepting the guilty plea, the court convicted Dr. Chander Vibhas for the offence under Section 267 of the BNS, 2023. Considering the apology and his expression of remorse, the court sentenced him to undergo imprisonment “till rising of the Court” and imposed a fine of Rs. 2,000, which was subsequently deposited.
The original case for which the accused was present has been posted for prosecution evidence on August 18, 2025.
