Bengaluru Lawyers Demand Tougher Advocates Protection Act After Brutal Attacks
The Bengaluru Advocates Association has urged Home Minister Priyank Kharge to strengthen the Advocates Protection Act following violent attacks on lawyers.
In a strong reaction to a series of violent attacks targeting legal professionals, the Bengaluru Advocates Association has called upon the state government to urgently strengthen the Advocates Protection Act. A delegation of office-bearers met with Home Minister Priyank Kharge to submit a detailed memorandum highlighting the growing insecurity faced by lawyers in the line of duty.
Demanding Justice for Fallen Colleagues
The association's plea comes in the wake of several harrowing incidents that have shaken the legal community. The memorandum specifically demanded the immediate arrest of culprits and swift legal proceedings in the following cases:
- The murder of advocates Manjunath and Sriram from Annapoorneshwari Nagar.
- The attempt to murder of advocate Venkatramana Sannakki from Gauribidanur.
Push for Stringent Penalties
The Bengaluru Advocates Association is not merely seeking justice for individual cases but is pushing for systemic legislative changes to deter future violence. They have urged the government to incorporate stringent clauses into the Advocates Protection Act, specifically requesting that attacks on lawyers be classified as non-bailable offences. Furthermore, they have proposed a minimum mandatory punishment of 10 years for those found guilty of such crimes.
Addressing Police Conduct and SOPs
Beyond legislative changes, the association raised serious concerns regarding the treatment of lawyers and the general public at police stations. To resolve this, they have proposed:
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): The formulation and implementation of a formal SOP across all police stations to ensure that advocates and citizens are treated with respect.
- Curbing Police Interference: A demand to stop unauthorised police intervention in civil disputes and their subsequent settlements.
- Accountability: The association called for strict disciplinary action against police officers who fail to adhere to the directions laid down by the Supreme Court in this regard.
Government Response
The delegation, which included President Vivek Subba Reddy, General Secretary H V Praveen Gowda, Vice President Girish Kumar C S, and Treasurer Shweta Ravishankar, received an assurance from Home Minister Priyank Kharge. The Minister stated that the demands raised by the association would be thoroughly examined and necessary actions would be taken to address the concerns.