Daijiworld Media Network - Nabarangpur
Nabarangpur, Nov 8: In a shocking incident, a woman allegedly attacked a Judicial Magistrate, an Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) and a court security personnel with an iron rod inside the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court premises at Jharigam in Odisha's Nabarangpur district on Saturday, November 7. All three sustained injuries in the attack, triggering panic on the court premises.
The accused, identified as Sanmati Majhi (30), allegedly concealed an iron rod inside her bag and launched the attack. The injured were identified as Judicial Magistrate Smita Lakra, APP Pradeep Patnaik and court Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Minketan Gantayat.
According to preliminary reports, Majhi arrived at the court premises on Saturday afternoon and attempted to enter the courtroom while the APP was examining a witness. However, security personnel reportedly stopped her from entering.
She later approached APP Pradeep Patnaik, who was in the court premises. When he was occupied with a phone call, the woman allegedly pulled out the iron rod from her bag and struck him on the head, leaving him seriously injured.
Hearing the commotion, Judicial Magistrate Smita Lakra and court security personnel rushed to intervene. However, the woman allegedly attacked the magistrate and the security personnel as they attempted to restrain her. The magistrate sustained minor injuries, while Gantayat also suffered injuries during the incident.
Patnaik was rushed to a hospital for treatment. The other two injured were also provided medical attention. According to reports, all three were subsequently discharged after receiving treatment.
Recounting the incident, Patnaik said the woman had approached him earlier and was attempting to communicate something when he received a phone call. He alleged that she suddenly became furious, picked up the concealed iron rod and struck him on the head before attempting to flee. The security personnel tried to stop her but were also injured.
Police said the accused had been arrested and would be produced before a court. Nabarangpur Superintendent of Police Parth Kashyap said the magistrate sustained minor injuries while attempting to stop the assault on the APP. Police are examining CCTV footage from the court premises as part of the investigation.
The incident has also brought attention to a matrimonial dispute allegedly involving the accused. According to preliminary information, Majhi was facing proceedings in a dowry harassment and domestic violence-related case before the same Jharigam court.
Sources said the case had been pending since January 2026 and her evidence was reportedly recorded on November 2, a few days before the attack. She had allegedly visited the court to discuss the matter with the APP.
According to Patnaik, the woman had approached him around 10 to 15 days earlier, saying she had young children and required financial assistance. He said he had assured her that he would extend whatever help was possible, depending on the circumstances.
He further claimed that Majhi's husband had expressed unwillingness to provide financial assistance, reportedly stating that he would rather go to jail than meet the financial demand.
Although the incident is suspected to be connected to the pending matrimonial dispute, police have not yet established the exact motive behind the attack. Further investigation is under way.