A day light hacking inside the premises of the high-security Madras High Court, guarded by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) ever since the court ordered security by para military forces last year, shook the legal fraternity.

A young man, Rajesh, allegedly hacked his own father, a lawyer identified as Manimaran, leaving him in a pool of blood. He was immediately rushed to the general hospital after his son attacked him with a sickle as many eyewitnesses stared in horror as to what was happening in their secure environs.

Just a few days ago, Swathi, a software engineer working with Infosys, was hacked early morning as she was waiting for her morning train that would take her to her workplace. But Tuesday’s murderous attack, though the victim survived the attack but under treatment now, has raised questions over the efficacy of the security apparatus.

Though this incident, sources said was the result of a family dispute, lawyers are shuddering as to what would happen if an actual terrorist strike took place.

The attacker, who was caught by lawyers and thrashed was also taken to hospital, sources said. A few lawyers present on the occasion told media persons that it seemed like a family quarrel gone out of control.

Only investigations would reveal what exactly triggered off the attack. But what is an issue of concern to the security agencies is that such an incident could take place in a building that is heavily guarded by a para military force.