Woman lawyer consumes poison inside courtroom in Odisha; here’s why

Balasore: A woman lawyer, who has been fighting a legal battle for separation from her husband for the last 13 years, consumed poison in front of the Judge of a family court here during hearing today.

However, the woman was rushed to the district headquarters hospital (DHH) here and her condition is stated to be stable.

Following marital discord, Rajashree Barik, a woman lawyer of Balasore court, had filed a divorce case in a family court here back in 2009. During proceedings, the family court Judge had directed Rajashree’s husband, who is also a lawyer by profession, to pay maintenance to his estranged wife.  The case is pending in the court since 2010.

Today, the family court Judge had summoned both the parties for cross examination. During the proceeding, Rajashree got exasperated and consumed poison in front of the Judge. However, her fellow colleagues immediately rushed her to the DHH.

“Despite the court’s directive, my client is not getting the maintenance amount. Today, she got infuriated by the Judge’s behaviour in the courtroom and took the drastic step in the courtroom,” said Rajashree’s lawyer Niranjan Parida.