Beware, no smoking on court premises

NEXT TIME when you enter the court premises, make sure that you have stubbed out your cigarette. On Monday, special judge, SC/ST Act, KK Sharma handed a month?s imprisonment to a Bakshi Ka Talab resident Bablu for smoking outside the courtroom.

NEXT TIME when you enter the court premises, make sure that you have stubbed out your cigarette.

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On Monday, special judge, SC/ST Act, KK Sharma handed a month’s imprisonment to a Bakshi Ka Talab resident Bablu for smoking outside the courtroom.

It made a surprised Bablu ask: “What’s my guilt? People smoke everywhere.” He was obviously pleading a wrong case. The judge held Babloo guilty on two counts—environmental pollution and contempt of court.

It was only when Babloo repeatedly pleaded mercy that the judge waived off the imprisonment part and let him go, of course with a warning and a fine of Rs 200. In 2001, a district excise officer had to be similarly reminded the difference between smoking inside the court premises and outside. It was only after tendering an apology and paying Rs 375 as penalty could the officer escape landing behind bars.

In 1993, an additional director, health, took everyone by surprise by shouting back at the chief judicial magistrate, “can’t you see, this is almond!”. The court had simply asked him what was he chewing. As if it was not enough, the officer, in utter disrespect to the judge, spit the almond right inside the courtroom making the judge furious. He was taken into custody immediately and only after tendering a written apology could he escape punishment.