Delhi Lawyers Launch Indefinite Strike Over Police 'Threats'
Delhi lawyers call for an indefinite strike after alleged threats by an ACP and the release of accused persons in an assault case.
The legal fraternity in the national capital has come to a standstill as the Coordination Committee of the Delhi Bar Association has called for an indefinite abstention from judicial work. This drastic step comes in protest against the conduct of high-ranking police officials at the Shahdara Police Station, with lawyers demanding the immediate suspension of an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and a Station House Officer (SHO).
The Spark: An Assault and a Broken Promise
The unrest stems from an incident involving Advocate Lalit Bansal, who reportedly sustained a serious head injury following an assault. A complaint regarding this attack was filed by Advocate Amulya Ratan.
On the evening of October 23, a group of advocates visited the Shahdara Police Station to ensure that legal action was being taken and to push for the arrest of the perpetrators. According to the Coordination Committee, the ACP and the SHO of the station assured the lawyers that the accused individuals—who were reportedly present at the police station at that very moment—would be arrested.
Allegations of Intimidation and Misconduct
The situation escalated on October 24 when the advocates discovered that the accused persons had not been taken into custody and had instead been released. When the lawyers returned to the police station to seek accountability and express their concerns over how the case was being handled, they allegedly faced hostility.
The Coordination Committee has leveled serious allegations against ACP Manasvi Vashishta, claiming that the officer threatened and intimidated the advocates present at the station. Furthermore, the lawyers are protesting the registration of an FIR against advocates, which they view as an attempt to silence them.
A United Front Against the Police
The call for a strike, issued by Advocate Neeraj, Chairman of the Coordination Committee, has gained massive traction across the city. Several prominent legal bodies have thrown their weight behind the protest, including:
- New Delhi Bar Association (NDBA)
- Saket Bar Association
- Central Delhi District Bar Association
Advocate Neeraj has made it clear that the abstention from judicial work will continue indefinitely until the demands for the suspension of ACP Manasvi Vashishta and the concerned SHO are met, pending an impartial inquiry into the matter.
Protest March Planned
The tension is set to rise further as the New Delhi Bar Association (NDBA) has announced a planned escalation. According to a circular issued by NDBA Secretary Tarun Rana, a protest march will be held on October 29. The lawyers intend to march from the Patiala House Court toward the Delhi Police Headquarters to voice their grievances and demand justice for their colleagues.