New Delhi: The coordination committee of all Delhi Bar Associations on Sunday said that lawyers across the capital would abstain from work on November 4, 2024, in protest of an alleged assault on an advocate in Ghaziabad, reportedly orchestrated by the district judge.
Advocate Jagdeep Vats, representing the committee, condemned the police’s actions, calling the lathi charge on lawyers within the courtroom as “unacceptable,” news agency ANI reported. The incident has also drawn strong criticism from the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), which denounced the alleged police violence at the Ghaziabad court as a grave breach of both rights and the rule of law.
SCBA condemns police brutality
In its statement, the SCBA said that the behaviour of the UP Police, allegedly directed by District and Sessions Judge Anil Kumar, poses a threat to the judiciary’s integrity. The association firmly stated that it would not tolerate any harm to the dignity of advocates, calling on the Allahabad High Court and the Uttar Pradesh government to take swift action in response to recent events.
To address the matter, the SCBA demanded an investigation into Anil Kumar’s actions by a sitting judge of the Allahabad High Court, recommending oversight by the Chief Justice and the Administrative Judge responsible for Ghaziabad. The SCBA further urged the immediate removal of both Anil Kumar and the officers involved in the courtroom lathi charge and advocated for compensation for the injured lawyer.
Demand for protection of advocates
In an effort to safeguard advocates from similar incidents, the SCBA also called for protective measures, including the implementation of an Advocates Protection Act. Apart from that, the association appealed to the Bar Council of India and all State Bar Councils to uphold advocates’ rights and ensure they can fulfill their duties without intimidation or harassment. Standing “in solidarity with the advocates of Ghaziabad,” the SCBA pledged full support to secure justice in this case.
