SC bar body condemns lathi charge on lawyers in Ghaziabad court; terms it ‘inhumane’

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Wednesday condemned the recent police lathi charge on lawyers in a Ghaziabad court and demanded an inquiry against the judge who called the police force to remove lawyers shouting slogans against him over a disagreement.

"The Supreme Court Bar Association strongly condemns the inhumane and violent act of police on advocates inside court premises in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, under the direction of Anil Kumar (District & Sessions Judge), Ghaziabad," the SCBA resolution read.

It called upon the Bar Council of India and state bar councils to take necessary steps to protect the rights of the advocates and ensure they function without the fear of intimidation or harassment.

Lawyers and police personnel came to blows in a Ghaziabad court on October 29 after the judge summoned the police to remove a group of protesting lawyers from his courtroom.

"The Supreme Court Bar Association shall not tolerate any attack on the prestige of advocates," the SCBA said, seeking an inquiry against the judge who summoned the police force to remove lawyers sloganeering against him.

It sought compensation to the injured advocates and measures to ensure such incidents do not recur.

The SCBA urged the Allahabad High Court and the Uttar Pradesh Government to initiate an inquiry into the judge's conduct by a sitting Allahabad High Court judge.

The police action meted out to the advocates showed the high-handedness of the UP police which was in a clear violation of their rights and the rule of law, the SCBA said, adding it stood in solidarity with the advocates of Ghaziabad and would “do everything in its power" to ensure justice was served.

It also sought an investigation into the incident.