State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission fines people for using mobile phones in courtroom, a 10-year-old rule
State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission fines people for using mobile phones in courtroom, a 10-year-old rule
Members of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC) of Maharashtra are all smiles. Their department has collected Rs 2 lakh in the last one year alone the highest amount they have ever collected.
And they have done this by stringently following one simple court rule fining all those who broke the rule that bars the use of mobile phones in the courtroom.
S Wagh, registrar of the SCDRC said, "The fine on using cellphones has ben applicable in every court since the last 10 years, but since this June we decided to follow the rule stringently."
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EMBARRASSED: Pawan Sahu was once fined when his phone rang in the court |
Pawan Sahu, a consumer who was fined, said, "Once my when my phone rang in court, my lawyer and me were fined.
This is a good move, but it is also an embarrassment if you are charged in front of the presiding judge."
Sources in the SCDRC said the money would be utilised for building better infrastructure for the commission, as it's yet to receive government funds.
Fed up of people disturbing court proceedings with ringing mobile phones, the commission had hiked the fine for mobile usage in courtrooms from Rs 100 to Rs 300 for the public and Rs 500 for advocates in January this year.
No Fine HereMumbai Suburban Consumer Complaint Redressal Forum does not follow the rule.
Said W Kambli, registrar, "To fine for mobile usage is like earning money from the poor consumers who come to the forums for justice. We do not follow it."
