CUTTACK: Orissa high court on Thursday fined additional secretary, higher education, Mukunda Kisan Rs 10,000 after his mobile phone rang inside the court room.

The court had directed Kisan to appear in person in a case relating to clearing of dues of J J Mahavidyalaya (Chandikhol) faculty members.

Kisan deposed before Justice B R Sarangi and while he was being questioned his cellphone started ringing. Expressing anguish, the judge immediately ordered seizure of the phone.

"Justice Sarangi ordered that the additional secretary can get his mobile phone back after depositing the fine," said Susanta Dash, counsel of the petitioner. Subsequently, the court adjourned hearing in the case and directed the officer to appear in person on the next date.

Kisan begged the court to pardon him and prayed it to modify the order following which the amount was reduced to Rs 2,000. Kisan deposited the amount in the court and got his phone back.

