Kochi: Proceedings at Kerala High Court’s Chamber 1 were briefly disrupted on Tuesday due to a foul stench caused by an Asian Palm Civet, locally known as the toddy cat or musang. The incident occurred during the morning session overseen by Chief Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar.

Shortly after the hearing began, a strong odour filled the air-conditioned courtroom. Despite the Chief Justice continuing with urgent matters initially, the worsening smell forced the court to adjourn. Cleaning staff were promptly deployed to locate and address the source of the odour.

Officials later found that the stink originated from a civet cat that had entered through the air-conditioning vents and taken shelter between the ceiling and roof. Known for its pungent urine, the nocturnal mammal is often found in palm groves and fruit-bearing trees and frequently seeks refuge in old buildings in Kerala, such as tiled heritage houses, where it nests under roofs.

Although harmless and mostly frugivorous, the civet’s presence and strong smell often cause disturbances in human habitats. The High Court incident mirrors similar complaints from Kerala’s political leaders, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan, both of whom reported nuisances caused by civets at their official residences.

Wildlife experts caution that, despite their troublesome nature in urban areas, civet cats are threatened with extinction and play a vital role in forest ecosystems by dispersing seeds. Kerala High Court proceedings were briefly disrupted on Tuesday when a foul stench, traced to an Asian Palm Civet, infiltrated Chamber 1. The incident occurred during the morning session presided over by Chief Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar.

Shortly after the hearing began, a strong odour permeated the air-conditioned courtroom. Although the Chief Justice addressed urgent matters initially, the smell intensified, forcing the court to adjourn. Cleaning personnel were deployed to identify and resolve the issue.

Officials later suspected that a civet cat, known locally as the toddy cat or musang, had slipped through the air-conditioning vents and taken refuge between the ceiling and roof. The civet is notorious for its pungent urine, which can create a significant nuisance in enclosed spaces.

The Asian Palm Civet is a nocturnal mammal commonly found near palm groves and fruit-bearing trees. In Kerala, it is frequently spotted in heritage homes and old buildings, where it nests under roof structures. Though generally harmless and fruit-eating, the civet’s presence and odour disturb human habitats.

This incident followed complaints from Kerala’s top political leaders, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan, who have reported civet-related disturbances at their official residences.

Wildlife experts note that while civet cats may be troublesome in urban areas, they are threatened with extinction and play an essential ecological role by dispersing seeds in forests.

With inputs from IANS