Woman attacks magistrate, prosecutor and guard in Odisha court

A woman allegedly attacked a magistrate, prosecutor and security guard with an iron rod at Jharigam court. The incident left all three injured and brought a pending matrimonial dispute into focus.Assistant Public Prosecutor Pradeep Patnaik, who was seriously injured after a woman allegedly attacked him with an iron rod inside a court in Odisha’s Nabarangpur district.Nabarangpur,Nov 8, 2026 01:29 ISTA woman allegedly attacked a Judicial Magistrate, an Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) and a court security personnel with an iron rod inside the Jharigam JMFC court premises in Odisha’s Nabarangpur district on Saturday, leaving all three injured.The accused, identified as Sanmati Majhi, allegedly pulled out the iron rod, which she had concealed inside her bag, and launched a sudden assault, triggering panic inside the court premises. The injured were identified as Judicial Magistrate Smita Lakra, APP Pradeep Patnaik and court security personnel Minketan Gantayat.According to preliminary information, Majhi arrived at the court on Saturday afternoon and insisted on meeting Judicial Magistrate Smita Lakra. However, court staff reportedly asked her to approach APP Pradeep Patnaik first.The suggestion allegedly angered the woman, who suddenly took out an iron rod from her bag and struck Patnaik. The attack was so unexpected that those present at the court premises had little time to react. When Magistrate Smita Lakra intervened to rescue the APP, the woman allegedly attacked her as well. Court security personnel Minketan Gantayat then rushed to restrain the accused but was also assaulted with the rod.Patnaik sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a hospital for treatment. The magistrate and the security personnel also suffered injuries in the attack.APP RECOUNTS ATTACK, ALLEGES MATRIMONIAL DISPUTE Recounting the incident, Patnaik said he was sitting in his chamber after finishing his work when Majhi approached him and took a seat nearby. She was reportedly trying to communicate something when he received a phone call and got occupied with the conversation.Patnaik alleged that the woman suddenly became furious, picked up the iron rod and struck him on the head before attempting to flee. The security personnel tried to stop her but were also injured in the process.The APP further claimed that Majhi was involved in a domestic dispute and that a case related to matrimonial harassment was pending before the same court.According to Patnaik, the woman had approached him around 10 to 15 days ago, saying she had young children and needed financial assistance. He said he had assured her that he would extend whatever help was possible, depending on the circumstances.He also claimed that Majhi's husband had expressed his unwillingness to provide financial assistance, reportedly saying he would rather go to jail than meet the financial demand.Preliminary information suggests that Majhi was facing proceedings in a dowry harassment and domestic violence-related case before the Jharigam court. Her testimony in the matter had reportedly been completed a few days before the attack.- Ends