Black magic suspicion disrupts Delhi court hearing after accused found ‘throwing rice'

Proceedings before Additional Sessions Judge Shefali Barnala Tandon at Tis Hazari Court stopped for nearly 15 minutes after rice was found strewn on the courtroom floor, raising suspicion of ‘black magic’.

The disruption occurred during the hearing of a 14-year-old murder case, when the Court noticed the accused, Dr. Chander Vibhas throwing rice beneath the dais.

When questioned, he claimed that the rice “fell from his hands” but failed to explain why he carried it during the proceedings.

The Court termed it an intentional act to disrupt judicial work, held him guilty under Section 267 of BNS, 2023, of interrupting a public servant in a judicial proceeding, and sentenced him to imprisonment till the rising of the Court.