The Allahabad High Court Bar Association has announced a boycott of judicial work on Monday to protest the police’s recent lathi charge on lawyers in a Ghaziabad court.
In a statement, the association demanded the immediate suspension of the involved police officers and Ghaziabad District and Sessions Judge Anil Kumar, who allegedly ordered the police to charge the lawyers on October 29.
This decision came during an emergency meeting held on Sunday evening, where the HCBA emphasized the need for swift action against both the district judge and the police officers involved.
The association also called for compensation for the lawyers who were injured during the incident.
The confrontation occurred around 11 A.M. in the district and sessions court complex in Raj Nagar when the judge summoned police to remove a group of protesting lawyers. Tensions escalated after a heated exchange between an advocate and the judge over an anticipatory bail case.
While some lawyers reported injuries from the police action, law enforcement officials claimed that the protesting advocates had set fire to a local police outpost.
During the HCBA meeting, led by association president Anil Tiwari, it was decided to file a criminal contempt petition against Judge Kumar regarding the incident. The HCBA stated that these measures are necessary to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The state Bar Council, the overarching body for lawyers in the region, has already urged attorneys statewide to express their dissent on November 4 in response to the police’s actions.
In a related development, a committee of Delhi’s bar associations has also resolved to strike on Monday, protesting the alleged assault on lawyers in the Ghaziabad courtroom.
Additionally, the Supreme Court Bar Association condemned the police’s lathi charge in a resolution passed the day after the incident. The SCBA’s strong stance underscores the broader concerns within the legal community regarding the treatment of lawyers and the sanctity of the courtroom.
As protests unfold, the legal community is calling for accountability and systemic changes to ensure the protection of lawyers and the integrity of judicial proceedings.
The incident in Ghaziabad has highlighted ongoing tensions between law enforcement and the legal profession, prompting widespread condemnation and a unified call for justice.
