Attacks On Lawyers: AIFAA Protests In Mumbai Civil And Sessions Court

A peaceful protest was organized by AIFAA (All India Federation Of Advocates And Associations) recently to condemn the ongoing attacks on lawyers.

The protest was sparked by the alleged assault on advocate Prithaviraj Zhala, a member of the Borivali Bar Association, by an Assistant Police Inspector.

The advocates personally visited courts and requested judges to refrain from issuing sanctions against the litigants.

In addition, a signature campaign for the passage of the Advocates Protection Act was held, with many advocates signing the petition both offline and online.

Protesters included advocates Shyam Pathak, Prakash Tiwari, Pal, Kulkarni, Nilima Kasture, Geeta Anand, Singh, Jhaa, Bhosale, Asif Naqvi, Shaikh, Khan, Shahid Pathan, Ansari, as well as AIFAA’s secretary, vice president, and committee members.

Advocates peacefully assembled to express their worries and demand improved protection for themselves and their fellow legal professionals.

In an urgent notice released on Thursday, AIFAA expressed its worry over the assault and emphasised that, as members of the legal profession, it is their duty to condemn violence of this kind and stand in support of their colleague.

As a result, in solidarity with advocate Zhala, AIFAA has decided to protest this brutality by refusing to work on Friday, March 17, 2023.

“As members of the legal profession, it is our responsibility to take a stand against such acts of violence and stand in solidarity with our fellow advocates. In support of Mr. Jhala, the Adv Ravi Prakash Jadhav & team All India Federation of Advocates & Associations (AIFAA) has decided to protest against this brutality by abstaining from work today (Friday), i.e., on 17/03/2023. We demand immediate action against the said police officer and justice for our colleague,” the notice stated.

Additionally, the notification stated that the organisation was glad to learn that numerous other bar associations in Mumbai and Maharashtra had backed the protest.

AIFAA has received support from the City Civil Court Bar Association, the Andheri Bar Association, the Girgaum Bar Association, the Kalyan Bar Association, the Mazgaon Bar Association, the Dadar Bar Association, the Kurla Bar Association, the Vikhroli Bar Association, the Bandra Bar Association, the Ulhasnagar Bar Association, the Esplanade/Killa Court Bar Association, among others in their quest for justice.

All Mumbai and Maharashtra lawyers were urged by the organisation to participate in the demonstrations and send a clear message that violence against legal professionals would not be condoned.