Dramatic and unprecedented scenes unfolded in the Varanasi District Court on a Friday when a middle-aged woman stormed a courtroom, occupied the District Judge’s chair, and declared herself the judge. She reportedly attempted to conduct hearings from the bench before police were called to remove her.
A video of the incident went viral on social media, showing the woman seated on the judge’s chair in the courtroom. She was subsequently removed from the premises by the police.
The Incident
According to media reports citing statements of court staff and witnesses, the woman entered the courtroom during court hours and occupied the District Judge’s chair. She then reportedly began calling out cases and attempting to conduct hearings, causing confusion and disruption in the court proceedings.
Court staff eventually alerted police, who arrived at the scene and removed the woman from the courtroom. The incident created significant commotion in the district court complex.
Legal Consequences
The impersonation of a judicial officer is a serious offence under the Indian Penal Code. Section 171 IPC (corresponding to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023) makes it an offence to personate a public servant. Additionally, the act of falsely claiming to exercise judicial functions could attract charges under various provisions of law relating to contempt of court and usurpation of judicial authority.
The Varanasi Police was expected to register a case against the woman following the incident. As of the time of reporting, investigations were underway to determine the woman’s identity and motive for the bizarre act.
Concerns About Court Security
The incident has raised concerns about security arrangements in district courts across India. Unlike higher courts, many district courts have relatively open access, which can create vulnerabilities. Court administrators and the judiciary have been called upon to review security protocols to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
Context
Varanasi is home to one of the busiest district court complexes in Uttar Pradesh, dealing with a large volume of civil and criminal cases daily. The incident occurred while the court was in session, making it a particularly stark breach of the sanctity of judicial proceedings.
Location: Varanasi District Court, Uttar Pradesh | Source: LiveLaw | June 2026
