Judicial Magistrate In Tamil Nadu Stabbed By Assistant; Hospitalised

A Judicial Magistrate in Salem (Tamil Nadu) was allegedly stabbed by an office assistant in his chamber on Tuesday, reported The Hindu.

As per reports, the assistant was angry over repeated transfer orders and used a pen-like sharp object to attack the Magistrate. The Magistrate suffered minor injuries and was taken to Salem Government Hospital.

The Indian Express quoted the police as ""M Ponpandi (32), the Judicial Magistrate IV, Salem, was inside his chamber at the court complex near Hasthampatti in Salem. Prakash (37), who had just joined as an office assistant Tuesday, argued with the magistrate regarding his repeated transfers."

This incident is yet another reminder of the issue relating to inadequate security of judges. It may be recalled that the Supreme Court has initiated a suo motu case to address the issue of security of courts and judges following the killing of an Additional District Judge in Jharkhand. Last year, the Court complexes in Rohini in the national capital witnessed a gun shootout by criminal gangs, when a gangster was produced before the Court. Four gangsters were left dead in the gun fire.  In another incident, a minor explosion had taken place in a court room in Rohini Court Complex.