The daylight murder of a 50-year-old woman in the district courts complex in Rajasthan’s Dausa town on Wednesday has brought the focus on security arrangements in the courts, for which the High Court had recently given directions to the State government.
The woman was stabbed by her estranged husband just before a sessions court was to pass the judgment in a case related to their missing daughter.
Stabbed to death
The accused, Amar Chand, was overpowered by the lawyers and court officials and handed over to the police. While the accused was arrested on charges of murder, the victim, Sheela Devi, was rushed to the district hospital where she was declared dead.
Shocked by the incident, laywers in the town, situated 57 km away from here, boycotted the court work and demanded strict measures for security of advocates, judges and the court staff as well the people visiting the courts. Lawyers said the situation in which anyone could come with weapons to the court warranted immediate action.
A Division Bench of the High Court had in July this year directed the State government to take suitable steps for safety in the court complexes.
The High Court's directions came after a series of “surprise inspections” of lower courts in several districts by the Chief Justice.
