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Investigators suspect growing frustration over delays in judicial proceedings may have driven Sanamati Majhi’s violent outburst
Law enforcement officials confirmed that the accused will face multiple charges, including assault on public servants performing their official duties, as the investigation proceeds. (Representational photo: ANI)
A violent security breach unfolded inside a lower court complex in Odisha when a female litigant allegedly assaulted a judicial magistrate, an assistant public prosecutor, and a court police officer using an iron rod hidden in her bag. The incident occurred at the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court premises in Jharigaon, located within the Nabarangpur district, triggering widespread panic while court proceedings were underway.
The accused, identified as Sanamati Majhi, entered the court premises carrying the weapon concealed inside a handbag. All three injured victims received immediate medical care at a local healthcare facility and were later discharged.
Sudden Assault Leaves Prosecutor and Security Officer Bleeding
According to preliminary reports, Majhi approached Assistant Public Prosecutor Pradeep Patnaik outside the courtroom and suddenly struck him on the head with the iron rod without warning, inflicting a bleeding injury. Seeing the sudden outbreak of violence, JMFC Smita Lakra stepped forward to intervene and restrain the attacker, during which she also sustained injuries.
Hearing the commotion, Court Sub-Inspector Meenketan Gantayat rushed out of his office to pacify the woman and protect the judicial officer. However, the accused turned on the officer and struck him on the head with the rod, causing another bleeding injury before court staff managed to overpower her.
Frustration Over Delayed Proceedings Suspected as Motive
Police immediately took Majhi into custody and seized the iron rod used in the assault. While law enforcement officers are currently reviewing closed-circuit television footage to reconstruct the exact timeline, initial inquiries suggest that the attack may be linked to ongoing litigation.
At A Glance
A female litigant allegedly assaulted a judicial magistrate, a prosecutor, and a police officer with an iron rod at a court complex in Jharigaon.
The three injured victims received immediate medical care at a local healthcare facility and were later discharged.
Police took the accused into custody and launched an inquiry into the security screening protocols at the entry gates.
Sources indicate that Majhi had a dowry harassment case pending before the Jharigaon court, where her testimony was recently recorded. She had reportedly visited the complex to discuss the matter with the prosecutor, and investigators suspect growing frustration over delays in judicial proceedings may have driven the violent outburst.
Security Screening Protocols Under Scrutiny
The brazen attack inside a functioning court complex has raised serious alarms regarding security infrastructure and weapon screening protocols at lower judicial facilities. Police officers have initiated a formal inquiry to establish how an iron rod went undetected by security personnel at the entry gates.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that the accused will face multiple charges, including assault on public servants performing their official duties, as the investigation proceeds.
Quick Answers
Ask News18A female litigant named Sanamati Majhi carried an iron rod hidden in her handbag into the Judicial Magistrate First Class court in Jharigaon and assaulted an assistant public prosecutor, a judicial magistrate, and a court police officer. All three injured victims received immediate medical treatment at a local healthcare facility and were subsequently discharged.
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Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He tra…Read More
November 08, 2026, 04:25 IST
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