Naxalite Threat to Balod Judge Triggers High-Level Investigation

Authorities in Balod, Chhattisgarh, have launched a high-priority probe after Judicial Magistrate Prashant Kumar Dewangan received a letter threatening his life. The correspondence, which arrived at the Gunderdehi court on March 27, was written in blue ink and bore the signature of a purported Naxalite unit from the Kanker-Bastar region. Along with a ransom demand of ₹3 crore, the letter accused the magistrate of unfair judicial practices. The police have increased security around the judge’s residence and the court premises following the registration of an FIR.