The coordination committee of all Delhi Bar Associations announced that lawyers would abstain from work on November 4, 2024, in response to an alleged assault on a lawyer in Ghaziabad, purportedly directed by the district judge.
Committee member Advocate Jagdeep Vats condemned the incident, calling the police’s use of lathi charge inside the courtroom “unacceptable,” as reported by ANI.
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) also denounced the alleged police violence against lawyers at the Ghaziabad court, describing it as a serious breach of rights and rule of law. The SCBA criticized the UP Police’s actions, allegedly directed by District and Sessions Judge Anil Kumar, as undermining the judiciary’s integrity.
In a firm stance, the SCBA urged the Allahabad High Court and the Uttar Pradesh Government to act swiftly, demanding an investigation led by a sitting judge from the Allahabad High Court, including involvement from the Chief Justice and the Administrative Judge overseeing Ghaziabad.
The SCBA has called for the immediate removal of Anil Kumar and the police officers involved in the incident, along with compensation for the injured lawyers.
To prevent similar future incidents, the SCBA advocated for the enactment of an Advocates Protection Act to safeguard advocates and their families. Additionally, they requested that the Bar Council of India and State Bar Councils implement measures ensuring advocates’ rights and safety, free from intimidation or harassment.
The SCBA affirmed its “firm solidarity with the advocates of Ghaziabad,” pledging to “do everything possible to ensure that justice is served.”