Accused Throws Chappal at Judge in Rangareddy Court

Hyderabad:An accused in a murder case threw a chappal at 9th Additional District and Sessions Judge Harisha at the Rangareddy District Court, creating chaos in the courtroom. The judge, being vigilant, pushed her chair back thereby avoiding the chappal. She was not hurt in the incident.

The attack took place during a trial of a murder case, involving the accused, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in a separate case.

According to court officials, Sardar Chamkorthi, also known as Karan Singh, who was brought to court under police escort, complained about alleged harassment by the jail superintendent.

When the judge asked him to come forward and speak, he reportedly removed his chappal and threw it at her, despite being restrained by around six police personnel.

According to senior assistant and bench clerk Satyanarayana Raju, the attack was a deliberate act of revenge, as the judge had recently sentenced Karan Singh to rigorous life imprisonment along with a `15,000 fine. The sentence was issued in a case where the accused had attacked two police constables while being pursued for an earlier crime.

Karan Singh has a history of violent offences. He was booked under several sections of the Indian Penal Code for attempt to murder, voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter a public servant from duty. He was also booked under the Arms Act, after he attacked constables Raju Naik and Vijay with a knife during a police operation in Yellammabanda’s Sikh Colony.

In another case, he was accused of threatening a transgender woman with a knife for free sex and later murdering her husband, also a transgender person, when he tried to intervene. The case, registered under IPC Sections 302(murder) and 394 r/w 34 (causing hurt while committing robbery) at Narsingi Police Station, was under trial when the courtroom attack occurred.

The incident created immediate outrage among the legal professionals. Lawyers, who were present in the courtroom, were stunned by the act. After the hearing, they reportedly confronted the accused and beat him outside the court.

Condemning the attack, the Rangareddy Bar Association president Kondal Reddy said, “Despite being held by police escort, the accused managed to throw a chappal, shocking everyone in the courtroom. He is a notorious criminal and must be punished for his actions. After the incident, all the lawyers came out and protested.”

Bar Association vice-president Rajender Reddy Pam said, “I think this is the first time in the state's legal history that an accused has attacked a judge. We strongly condemn this and demand protection for lawyers.”

Swarnalatha Vaddiraju, TPCC legal cell convener, criticised the act as an insult to the judiciary and women in high-ranking legal positions, especially on a National Women’s Day.

Lawyers across Telangana have declared a boycott of court proceedings on Friday as a mark of protest. They stressed that the incident threatens the dignity of the judiciary and creates an atmosphere of fear among legal professionals. The lawyers have demanded police authorities to take immediate action to prevent such assaults on judicial officers in the future.