PATNA: In a rare incident inside a court complex in Bihar, where prohibition has been in force for a decade, two advocates associated with Patna high court were arrested after they were found drunk while appearing before a magistrate late on Sunday night.The arrests followed a breathalyser test conducted on the spot on the directions of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), police said.The two advocates, Aakash Keshav and Varti Kumar, were produced before a court on Monday and remanded to judicial custody.The incident occurred at the Chhajjubagh Judges’ Residence Complex hall under Kotwali police station area, where the advocates had gone to represent students arrested in connection with the July 25 Bihar bandh protest.Kotwali SHO Ajay Kumar said some of the detained students were released on personal recognisance (PR) bonds, while others accused of involvement in the violence were remanded to judicial custody.“At around 11.30pm on Sunday, the advocates reached the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s residence hall. During the proceedings, they allegedly created a small commotion, and their speech and conduct raised suspicion that they were under the influence of alcohol. Police personnel also noticed a strong smell of alcohol,” the SHO said.Acting on the CJM’s directions, the two advocates underwent a breathalyser test at the spot, which confirmed alcohol consumption.They were subsequently arrested.An FIR was registered at Kotwali police station on the statement of Gandhi Maidan SHO Akhilesh Kumar Mishra under relevant provisions of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, as well as charges related to obstructing public servants in the discharge of their duties.“After completing the legal formalities, both advocates were produced before the CJM court and remanded to judicial custody. Further investigation is underway,” the SHO added.Recalling the incident, sub-inspector (SI) Sushmita Anupam of Gandhi Maidan police station said she was near the staircase when a commotion broke out inside the courtroom.“The two advocates had come to represent two student lawyers who are in judicial custody in connection with the July 25 protest. They were also appearing on behalf of some other students,” she said.According to the officer, the advocates were not following courtroom protocol or addressing the magistrate appropriately.“They were not using abusive language, but their conduct was inappropriate and they were repeatedly pressing their case. We then heard the CJM ask that they be removed from the hall. Police personnel also noticed a strong smell of alcohol. On the CJM’s directions, a breathalyser test was conducted, which confirmed alcohol consumption. They were then arrested,” the SI said.
