SCBA Condemns Killing Of Delhi Lawyer: Calls For Early Passing Of Advocates Protection Act

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Executive Committee today issued a statement condemning the recent killing of a Delhi lawyer and stated that the investigation into the matter should be conducted in an expedited & fair manner.

The Executive Committee of SCBA has condemned the brutal attack on Advocate Virender Kumar Narwal, who was practicing in New Delhi. Advocate Narwal was recently allegedly shot dead by 2 bike-borne assailants in Delhi’s Dwarka area.

Therefore, the SCBA also said that if the need arises, a SIT should be constituted to handle the case.

SCBA issued a press statement that states “Lawyers have been an integral part of society, and such an attack on lawyers will completely shatter the confidence of the public at large if the people who are meant to protect the rule of law are attacked in such manners, and the culprits are not caught expeditiously. Advocates are otherwise also vulnerable sections of the society having no social security.”

The Executive Committee of SCBA resolved in the statement that the Advocates Protection Bill, 2021 which is pending its Parliamentary enactment for almost 2 years, be passed at the earliest, to ensure the safety and security of lawyers while performing their professional obligations fearlessly.

The statement states that “By virtue of bringing in of such an act, certain provisions will come in force for taking care of the interests of the Advocates, be it with providing of Police Protection in certain cases, forming of a Redressal Committee for Advocates at each level of Judiciary, protection of Advocates from Illegal Arrests and Malicious Prosecutions, waiving of bail bonds for Advocates, providing extended protection in cases of privileged communications with clients, providing insurances and financial aids & loans to the Advocates, etc.”

SCBA further said that we hope that our demands shall be considered on priority whereby the culprits will be arrested immediately and a pan- India Advocates Protection Act shall soon be passed by the Parliament on priority.