Attack On Advocates: Delhi HC Bar Association To Abstain From Work Tomorrow

The Delhi High Court Bar Association has resolved to abstain from work on Thursday, i.e. 25 January, as a mark of solidarity against a recent attack on two Senior Advocates- Mr. Kirti Uppal and Mr. Vikas Pahwa.

As per a resolution passed by the Executive Committee of the Association, another attack had been staged against Advocate Ravi Sharma, when two of his vehicles parked in the courtyard of his house were burned. The three Advocates have together been supporting the cause of a lady Advocate.

The matter reportedly relates to lodging of a stalking case against a woman lawyer, who was then allegedly dragged out of her residence by the city police to arrest her despite court orders against coercive action. The lawyers are now being personally attacked. As per the resolution, even though FIRs have been registered by the lawyers, the attitude of the Police "looks lackadaisical and deliberately protracting".

It then asserts, "The Executive Committee is unanimous of the view that the present situation is an extra ordinary in nature in as much as these heinous acts have been executed with the intention to overawe and strike terror in our community by using inflammable substances, in a manner so as to cause injuries or loss of life and damage/ destruction of property, in order to terrorize the Advocates to refrain from performing their professional duties.

The Executive Committee feels that this act of terror threatens the statutory duty of lawyers to conduct themselves fearlessly and with dignity in defending a client."

The Committee further states that Proxy Counsels have been appointed for every Court and a list will be displayed on the notice boards as well as outside every Court room.