A shocking scene unfolded in the family court inside Madras High Court premises on Tuesday. During the hearing for a divorce case between a couple - Varalakshmi and Saravanan - from Sriperumbudur in Kancheepuram district, the latter stabbed his wife.
The incident took place in the afternoon and in front of the principal family court judge. Saravanan, who is a bus driver by profession, had carried a knife into the court premises. It is unclear at this point how the weapon went undetected. He used it to attack his estranged wife during the hearing of their divorce case which has been ongoing since 2009.
Varalakshmi fell to the ground after the attack and the judge quickly summoned the police. They moved quickly to mobilise the ambulance that was parked within the Madras High Court premises and rushed her to the Stanley Medical College.
According to a police official who spoke to TNM, the woman is stable and her injuries were not very serious; though she did receive a few stitches. The police immediately arrested Saravanan and are conducting further investigation into the matter.
AKA Rahmaan, the principal family court judge meanwhile has asked the police to improve security and screening. Madras High Court is a highly secure court complex. The judge was reportedly upset that Saravanan had managed to bring a knife into such a heavily guarded court premises.