'Stand with your hands raised': Delhi court's unique punishment for wasting time

New Delhi: In a rare and striking move, a Delhi court has imposed an unconventional punishment on certain litigants accused of wasting judicial time.

Taking strong exception to their conduct, the court ordered them to stand with their hands raised until the day's proceedings concluded.

Judicial Magistrate First Class Saurabh Goyal of Dwarka Court was hearing a complaint case when he observed that, despite being called twice, the accused failed to furnish their bail bonds within the stipulated time.

The judge noted that the accused had been directed to submit the bonds on the previous hearing date, and their continued delay and non-compliance amounted to contempt of court.

"...For wasting the time of the court, which is in contempt of the order duly promulgated on last date of hearing, the accused persons are hereby held guilty for contempt of court proceedings and are convicted for offence U/s 228 IPC. They are directed to stand in the court till the rising of this court with their hands straight in the Air," the Court ordered.