Bhubaneswar, November 8: The Odisha State Bar Council has strongly condemned the attack on a Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), a government advocate and police personnel by a woman accused at Jharigaon court in Nabarangpur district, demanding stringent action against the accused.

Taking serious note of the incident, Odisha State Bar Council Chairman Sitanshu Mohan Dwivedi has deputed Council member Pita Ramesh Patra to Jharigaon to conduct an on-the-spot inquiry into the matter.

Expressing deep concern over the incident, members of the Council demanded adequate security for judicial officers and advocates.

The Council observed that attacks on judicial officers, public prosecutors, advocates and police personnel performing their official duties pose a serious threat to the justice delivery system and raise concerns over the state's law and order situation.

"If judicial officers and advocates themselves are not safe, who will ensure the protection of ordinary citizens?" the Council questioned.

Chairman Dwivedi has also written to the Director General of Police (DGP), Odisha, and the Superintendent of Police, Nabarangpur, urging the government to provide enhanced security arrangements for judicial officers and members of the legal fraternity, on the lines of security provided to the High Court.

The Council has further demanded that the chargesheet against the accused be filed within one month and that the trial be conducted on a fast-track basis by the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), with the proceedings completed within three months.

Additionally, Dwivedi has appealed to advocates across the undivided Koraput district not to extend any support or encouragement to the accused involved in the incident. He urged the legal fraternity to maintain unity and uphold the integrity of the judiciary and the legal profession.