New Delhi, Oct 30 (PTI) Calling it an “inhuman and violent” act, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Wednesday condemned the recent police lathi charge against lawyers in a Ghaziabad court.
The SCBA, in a resolution, requested an investigation against the judge who called on police to remove a group of lawyers who were chanting against him over a disagreement.
“The Supreme Court Bar Association strongly condemns the inhuman and violent action of the police against lawyers in the courts in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, under the leadership of Anil Kumar-X (District and Sessions Judge) Ghaziabad,” the resolution said.
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The SCBA said it stood in solidarity with Ghaziabad’s advocates and pledged to do “all in its power” to ensure justice is served.
According to her, the police action against the advocates showed the high-handedness of the UP police in clear violation of their rights and the rule of law.
“The Supreme Court Bar Association will not tolerate any attack on the prestige of lawyers,” the resolution said.
The bar therefore called on the Allahabad High Court and the Uttar Pradesh government to conduct an inquiry into the judge’s conduct by a sitting judge of the Allahabad High Court and the Chief Justice, who would oversee it.
An inquiry into the incident was also sought to bring the erring judge and police officers to book.
SCBA further demanded damages to the injured lawyers and measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
The bar also called on the Bar Council of India and all other state councils to take necessary steps to protect the rights of the lawyers and ensure that they can function without fear of harassment or intimidation.
Lawyers and baton-wielding police personnel came to blows in a Ghaziabad court on October 29 after the judge ordered the latter to remove a group of protesting lawyers from his courtroom.
The incident took place at around 11 am at the district and sessions court complex in Raj Nagar area, following a heated altercation between a lawyer and the judge over the hearing of an anticipatory bail case.
While some lawyers claimed to have suffered injuries, police officials alleged that agitating lawyers had set fire to a local police post.
In a video clip of the clashes circulating on social media, police personnel were seen carrying batons and a wooden chair. PTI PKS AMK
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