The Varanasi District Court witnessed an unusual incident when a woman allegedly entered a courtroom, occupied the District Judge’s chair, and attempted to conduct judicial proceedings, prompting intervention by court staff and police authorities.
According to official sources and statements attributed to eyewitnesses, the woman entered the courtroom premises at around 9:00 am on Friday, when Additional District Judge Yajuvendra Vikram Singh was on leave. She is stated to have bypassed security arrangements, entered the judicial chamber, and enquired about the timing of the judge’s arrival before proceeding to the dais.
The woman, thereafter, allegedly sat on the District Judge’s chair, handled court records placed on the table, and attempted to assume the role of the presiding officer. She is reported to have struck the desk with a gavel-like object and purportedly declared that she was conducting court proceedings, directing that witnesses and evidence be produced before her.
The incident, which lasted for nearly an hour, created disruption within the courtroom and required intervention by court staff and advocates present on site. Multiple attempts were made to persuade her to vacate the judicial seat, but she is stated to have resisted and raised her voice against those approaching her.
Subsequently, personnel from the Cantt police station, including women police officers, reached the courtroom and removed her from the judicial dias. She was taken into custody for questioning and shifted to the police station for further inquiry.
Police officials later indicated that her conduct appeared to reflect possible mental health concerns. After preliminary questioning and completion of procedural formalities, she was released and handed over to her family members.
Eyewitness accounts and reports from the Varanasi Central Bar Association suggest that the woman is a litigant with a case pending before the same court and is known to visit the court complex regularly in connection with her proceedings. Bar Association representatives stated that she had entered the courtroom, taken a seat on the judicial dais and issued directions to those present while asserting that she was the presiding judge.
Legal practitioners present at the court reportedly attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the woman continued to remain seated on the judge’s chair and refused to step down until police intervention.
Following the incident, the courtroom was cleared, and normal functioning was restored. Additional District Judge Yajuvendra Vikram Singh, upon returning to court, inspected the premises and took note of the security lapse.
The District Judge is understood to have directed an internal inquiry into the incident and sought a detailed explanation from the officials on duty regarding how the woman managed to gain access to the courtroom and reach the judicial dais without being stopped by security personnel.
Local members of the bar have also claimed that similar conduct by the woman had been observed earlier, including instances where she allegedly attempted to assert control within court premises.
The matter has raised concerns regarding courtroom security protocols and access control within district judiciary premises, with administrative scrutiny expected into the circumstances that allowed the breach.
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