[Tis Hazari Violence] Do Not Resort to Any Sort of Abstention or Boycott of Courts From Tuesday: BCI Appeals To Lawyers

In view of the orders passed by theDelhi High Court in suo moto proceedings against the violence which perpetrated in the premises of Tis Hazari Court yesterday, the Bar Council of India has appealed the Advocates to resume court work from November 5, i.e., Tuesday.

The press release issued in this behalf read,

"The Bar Council of India welcomes the historic order passed by the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi thereby addressing the grievances espoused by the Bar Council of India and Lawyers of Delhi regarding the unfortunate incident of police excesses against Advocates of Tis Hazari Court on 02.11.2019.

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In view of the quick and positive step taken by the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi in this sensitive matter for redressal of grievances of the Bar, the Bar Council of India appeals to the Advocates of the country to maintain peace and harmony and not to resort to any sort of abstention or boycott of Courts from Tuesday, the 5^th November, 2019."

The scuffle which broke out yesterday between the police officials and lawyers at the Tis Hazari Court, over a parking dispute within the court premises, aggravated as the police fired over Advocates. Two lawyers got shot in the incident and subsequently, the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) requested its members to register protest by abstaining from work on Monday, November 4. The Bar Council of India had also condemned the incident and it approached Chief Justice Patel for redressal of the matter by conducting a judicial inquiry.

In a special sitting of the High Court conducted today, notices were issued to Bar Council of India, Union of India, State of Delhi and all the Bar Associations of Delhi. In the hearing conducted at 3 pm, the bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar directed a judicial enquiry into the matter, to be headed by Justice SP Garg, former judge of the Delhi High Court, with the assistance of CBI, Vigilance and IB. Further, the Delhi Police Commissioner was directed to immediately suspend the accused police officials.

Accepting the BCI's request to conclude the inquiry in a time bound manner, the high court has directed that the inquiry be completed within six weeks. The high court also directed suspension of two erring police officials and transfer of two senior police officials.

Chief Justice DN Patel had yesterday held a five hour long meeting with the seven senior-most Judges of the High Court to deliberate on the matter. Three judges of the high court had also visited the lawyers undergoing treatment at St Stephens hospital.

In the decision passed today, the high court has granted ex-gratia payment to the injured Advocates and further directed that no coercive steps shall be taken any Advocate during pendency of the inquiry.

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