Rajasthan has become the first State in the country to enact a law granting protection to advocates from assault and grievous hurt. The Advocates Protection Bill was tabled in the State legislative assembly last week and passed today with certain amendments, by voice vote.The Bill aims to provide for the prevention of offences of assault, grievous hurt, criminal force, and criminal...
Rajasthan has become the first State in the country to enact a law granting protection to advocates from assault and grievous hurt. The Advocates Protection Bill was tabled in the State legislative assembly last week and passed today with certain amendments, by voice vote.
The Bill aims to provide for the prevention of offences of assault, grievous hurt, criminal force, and criminal intimidation against the advocates, in connection with the discharge of duties as an advocate, and damage or loss to their property.
In case of causing grievous hurt to an advocate, the bill proposes a maximum imprisonment of seven years and a fine of ₹50,000. Whereas in case of assault on a lawyer, the maximum punishment will be imprisonment of two years and a fine of ₹25,000. Further, in cases of criminal force and intimidation against a lawyer, a maximum punishment of two years has been proposed in the bill.
All the offences under the bill have been made cognizable, as well as compoundable under Sections 6 and 7.
In addition to the punishment, the offender, in appropriate cases, shall also be liable to pay damages for loss or damage caused to the property of an advocate, as may be determined by the Court.
The bill also proposes a clause wherein an offender can be made liable to reimburse the medical expenses incurred by such advocate as may be determined by the Court.
Section 4 of the Bill makes provision for police protection to advocate in need. The bill also proposes to punish an advocate who misuses the provision of this Act or uses the same for malicious purposes or makes a false complaint under the bill with imprisonment up to two years, or with a fine or both.
Advocates in the state had been protesting for the past 1 month seeking the enactment of the Advocate Protection Act.
In Mumbai also lawyers have been holding demonstrations against continued attacks on advocates. Additionally, a signature campaign was held for the passing of the Advocates Protection Act, which saw many advocates sign the petition both offline and online.