Armed cops deployed in Berhampur courtroom

Berhampur: A day after a 51-year-old man threatened a woman judge with a knife inside a crowded courtroom in Berhampur, security was tightened on Tuesday with deployment of armed policemen in the court premises. “At least two armed policemen have been deployed in the sub-divisional judicial magistrate’s (SDJM) court and another two near the judge’s official residence,” Berhampur SP Saraban Vivek M said.
“An adequate number of police personnel have also been deployed in the district and sessions court’s premises here. Besides, patrolling has been intensified in the nearby areas of the court to avoid such incidents from taking place again,” the SP added.
On Monday, Bhagaban Sahu, who is out on bail in connection with four criminal cases registered against him, brandished a knife and threatened to kill SDJM Prangya Paramita Parihari. The latter had a lucky escape after the court staff and lawyers overpowered Sahu, a resident of Berhampur city, who later told interrogators that he was allegedly upset with the ‘tardy progress of his trial’. He was arrested later that day.
Sahu was earlier arrested for extortion, assault, attempt to murder and misconduct against women in 2020 and on Monday, he was summoned to appear in the court in connection with one of the old cases.
Police, however, are yet to ascertain the exact reason behind the incident. “We have interrogated the accused, but he did not disclose the exact reason for attacking the judge,” a police officer said.