In an unusual incident in the Family Court here, a

woman lawyer allegedly consumed a poisonous substance in the court

hall on Wednesday.

She was identified as Rajashree Barik and is undergoing treatment in

the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH).

According to reports, Barik is also a respondent to a case filed by her

husband Santan Barik, seeking divorce under section 13(1) of the

Hindu Marriage Act.

Pertaining to the case, Sanatan was to be cross- examined by the

counsel of Rajashree on Wednesday. Since her lawyer was

unavailable at that period, Rajashree presented herself as a lawyer to

cross examine Sanatan (her husband).

After a part of cross- examination, she pleaded for time and the

proceeding of the case was adjourned. After the case the hearing of

other cases too were heard by the Judge.

However, at about 1 pm during pack -up time (the working hour for

Baleswar Court is from 7 am to 1 pm), one lawyer noticed Rajashree

sitting beside him and writing something on a piece of paper while

weeping. When he asked about the reason, she divulged that she had

consumed pesticide showing the bottle containing some liquid. She

reportedly said that she felt humiliated (the reason yet to be

ascertained) and procured the pesticide from a nearby market and

consumed the same to end her life. She was immediately rushed to the

DHH by a woman colleague in a private vehicle.

Notably, cases of marital discord between the couple, Rajashree and

Sanatan surfaced in the Family Court since 2011, their marriage year.

And, several cases including divorce, maintenance, interim

maintenance and EMI for the house they constructed on a plot in the

town, etc., were filed by either of the parties against each other.

Sanatan while is serving in the paramilitary force, Rajashree was

earlier a homemaker and after completing Law degree, is practicing

advocacy. As a lawyer she is also conducting cases for others. The

couple has two sons out of their wedlock, reports added.