Kantabanji: A Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) in Odisha's Balangir district has been widely appreciated for his compassionate gesture towards an elderly litigant who was unable to enter the courtroom due to ill health.

The incident took place at the JMFC Court in Kantabanji during the hearing of a case registered in 2024. Summons had been issued to four residents of Chaulsukha village—Pramod Mahanand, Sukadev Mahanand, Jadumani Mahanand and Laita Mahanand—to appear before the court.

All four individuals reached the court on the scheduled date in compliance with the summons. However, elderly Jadumani Mahanand was reportedly unwell and could not get down from the vehicle or enter the courtroom because of his health condition.

After being informed about 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 judge's compassionate approach drew appreciation from people present at the court, who described it as an example of humanity within the judicial system.

The gesture has also been seen as reinforcing public confidence in the justice delivery system by demonstrating that empathy and accessibility can go hand in hand with the rule of law.