On Wednesday, an unidentified individual entered courtroom 1 of the Karnataka High Court wielding a razor, causing distress and alarm among judges, lawyers, and litigants present as he proceeded to harm himself.
At noon, amidst the proceedings in the courtroom presided over by Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice HB Prabhakara Sastry, the unsettling incident unfolded, causing a stir among those in attendance. As item 26 was being called out, the judges sounded the alarm upon noticing a man in the courtroom carrying a weapon.
The man proceeded to injure himself with the razor by pressing it against his throat, resulting in serious injuries, according to reports.
Security personnel swiftly responded to the situation, rushing to the courtroom and escorting the man out shortly thereafter. Justice Sastry, visibly disturbed by the incident, and slated to retire from office that day, expressed concern over how the individual managed to evade the security screening measures and gain entry into the courtroom with a weapon.
"Question is how come security allowed him in with a razor? We have all tight security. Nobody, kindly, don't touch that (file)... That has to be seized under panchnama. Is it proper razor? Single blade?" Justice Sastry remarked.
The judge was told that it was a single-blade razor without a handle.
Meanwhile, the Chief Justice called upon the Registrar General for assistance. The Court also instructed that no one should touch the case file left behind by the man and directed the authorities to formally seize it.
Upon learning that the case file had briefly been held by a court officer, the Court noted that such action should not have been taken.
"How can you receive? Without the permission of the court, the court officer is not supposed to receive ... That too, when filed by an individual party (and not a lawyer). Let that file remain there," the Court said.
The bench eventually adjourned the proceedings for the day.
"We'll adjourn the court proceedings, only few matters are (left)," the bench observed before rising.
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