Man hacks ‘wife’ to death in court premises

A youth allegedly killed a woman whom he claimed to be his wife and injured three others, including the deceased’s mother, by attacking them with a sword on the premises of the Family Court in Sambalpur on Monday.

The attacked persons were initially admitted to the District Headquarters Hospital and later shifted to the VIMSAR at Burla, where the woman succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment.

According to reports, Ramesh Kumar of Sindurapanka under the Sadar police limits in Sambalpur had kidnapped the young woman of the area last year. The woman later managed to escape from his clutches and returned home.

However, Ramesh, claiming the woman as his wife, alleged before the Family Court that her family members have confined her in a house. The court had issued a notice to the family members of the woman for appearance on Monday.

At around 10 am, the woman, her parents and her five-year-old niece reached the court. Ramesh attacked them and a concerned woman lawyer with a sword. However, the woman’s father managed to flee from the spot and escaped unhurt.   Ramesh was then nabbed by locals, following which police detained him.

However, the brutal attack in the family court near the offices of senior police officials like the SP and DIG has raised questions on the security. Besides, how could the accused carry a sword without being noticed by anyone?   The incident has triggered terror among the locals.