Balangir: In a rare yet deeply compassionate gesture, a Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) in Odisha’s Balangir district adopted an uncommon move towards an elderly litigant who was unable to enter the courtroom due to ill health.
The heart-touching gesture, which unfolded at the JMFC Court in Kantabanji during the hearing of a case registered in 2024, was widely appreciated.
Notably, summons had been issued to four residents of Chaulsukha village — Pramod Mahanand, Sukadev Mahanand, Jadumani Mahanand and Laita Mahanand — to appear before the court.
While all four individuals reached the court on the scheduled date in compliance with the summons, elderly Jadumani Mahanand was reportedly unwell and could not move out of the vehicle and proceed to the courtroom because of his health condition.
After learning bout the situation, JMFC Rakesh Kumar Behera personally walked to the vehicle parked outside the court to enquire about the elderly man’s health. The judge then completed the required judicial formalities at the spot, ensuring that the litigant was not inconvenienced due to his medical condition.
The JMFC’s compassionate approach drew appreciation with people from different quarters hailing his move as an example of humanity within judicial system.