Lawyers Demand Suspension of ACP Manasavi Vashist Over Insulting Remarks
Delhi lawyers seek the suspension of ACP Manasavi Vashist over alleged insulting remarks and intimidation. Rohini Court Bar Association strikes in protest.
A major confrontation has erupted between the legal community and the Delhi Police, as multiple bar associations have approached the Commissioner of Police seeking the immediate suspension of ACP Manasavi Vashist. The demand follows allegations that the officer used insulting remarks and intimidated lawyers during a dispute at a police station.
Court Bar Associations Lead the Protest
The call for action is being spearheaded by the Rohini Court Bar Association and the Rouse Avenue Court Bar Association, among other legal bodies. In a strong show of dissent, the Rohini Court Bar Association has abstained from all judicial work on Tuesday, insisting that the ACP be suspended immediately.
Adding to the pressure, Vijay Bishnoi, the Secretary of the Central Delhi Court Bar Association, has also submitted a formal representation to the Commissioner of Police, urging the department to take strict disciplinary action against Vashist.
The Root of the Conflict
The tension traces back to the evening of October 23, when a group of advocates visited the Shahdara Police Station. The lawyers were there to ensure appropriate legal action was taken regarding a specific incident. According to reports, ACP Manasavi Vashist and the SHO of Shahdara had initially assured the advocates that the accused individuals in the case would be arrested.
However, the situation soured on October 24. The advocates discovered that the suspects, who were reportedly present at the police station at the time, had not been arrested and had instead been released.
Allegations of Intimidation
When the lawyers returned to the police station to demand accountability and express their concerns over how the matter was handled, a confrontation occurred. It is alleged that ACP Manasavi Vashist reacted aggressively, threatening and intimidating the advocates present. This alleged misconduct sparked widespread outrage across Delhi's legal circles.
Police Transfers and Ongoing Unrest
The fallout from the incident led the Coordination Committee of All Delhi Bar Associations to call for a two-day abstention from judicial work on October 28. This move followed a high-level meeting between Delhi Police officials and representatives of the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD).
In an attempt to quell the unrest, the Delhi Police ordered the transfer of the officers involved:
- ACP Manasavi Vashist was transferred from his position as SDPO, Gandhi Nagar (Shahdara) to SPUWAC.
- Inspector Arun Kumar, the SHO of Shahdara Police Station, was transferred to the Security wing of the Delhi Police.
While the Coordination Committee initially called off the strike on Wednesday evening to resume judicial work on Thursday, the recent protests and the demand for a full suspension indicate that the legal community remains unsatisfied with mere transfers.