Lawyer's Custodial Torture: Punjab & Haryana High Court Bar Association To Abstain From Work Till Friday

The Punjab & Haryana High Court Bar Association (HCBA) has decided to abstain from work till Friday to express solidarity with the lawyer who was allegedly sexually assaulted and tortured in police custody in District Mukstar Sahib.

In a general house meeting yesterday, the HCBA first resolved to indefinitely abstain from work with effect from 26 September. However, in a further development it decided to abstain from work till Friday.

In an official letter the HCBA said that the strike will continue if the following demands are not met:

• Cancellation of alleged frivolous case against the lawyer under Sections 332 (punishment to voluntary causing hurt), 353 (Assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty) 186 (Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 427 (Mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) at Mukstar Sahib Police Station.
• Handing over /transferring investigation of case registered against accused officers to Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) and adding relevant penal provisions to the FIR.
• Addition of the names of all the erring officials as mentioned in the order passed by Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sri Muktsar Sahib.
• Arrest of accused police officers.
• Suspension of SSP, Sri Muktsar Sahib and other allegedly erring officials.
• The life and liberty of the victim-lawyer and his family members be protected.