Civet's Courtroom Stench Disrupts Kerala High Court Proceedings

On August 19, 2025, the proceedings in the Kerala High Court were disrupted by an unexpected visitor – a common palm civet. The division bench headed by Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji was forced to rise within half an hour of sitting due to a powerful stench that had filled the courtroom.

According to officials, the palm civet had urinated in court number 1, where the Chief Justice was hearing matters. The strong odor made it impossible for the court to continue its regular proceedings. After dealing with a few urgent cases, the judges adjourned all other hearings for the day.

Authorities confirmed that the palm civet had been captured by forest officials earlier that morning. The nocturnal mammal is believed to have strayed into the high court premises from the nearby Mangalavanam bird sanctuary, a 2.74-hectare mangrove located in the heart of Kochi. Cleaning of the air conditioning ducts and ceiling crevices, through which the civet likely entered, is currently underway.

The Asian palm civet is known for its ability to adapt to various habitats, including urban areas. This incident serves as a reminder of the need to maintain a harmonious coexistence between wildlife and human settlements, even in the heart of a bustling city like Kochi.