Delhi High Court waives penalty, orders counsel to distribute tea and samosas

The Delhi High Court has issued an unconventional directive to waive a monetary penalty in exchange for a community-oriented gesture. Justice Saurabh Banerjee ordered the legal counsel representing Indus Birra Beverages to distribute tea and samosas to all employees of the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) within one week.

The case originated from a cheque bounce dispute involving Indus Birra Beverages. During a previous hearing on August 20, the court had imposed a cost of INR 50,000 on the petitioners after observing that they had failed to make full disclosure regarding a prior trial court order and had made contrary statements to mislead the court.

Upon reviewing a fresh application for a waiver of these costs, the court allowed the request but tied the relief to the requirement that the petitioners' counsel perform the food distribution to DHCBA staff.