Supreme Court Bar Association Condemns Police Violence Against Advocates In Uttar Pradesh's Hapur

Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) in a resolution passed today (30.08.2023) strongly condemned the violent and 'inhumane' treatment meted out by the police to protesting advocates in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh.

"..women advocates were also not spared from the brutality. The lathi charge on the advocates, who were protesting peacefully against the alleged high-handedness of the police, is a clear violation of their rights and the rule of law." the resolution reads.

The SCBA expressed its solidarity with the advocates of Hapur and pledged to do everything in its power to make sure that justice is served.

Lawyers were allegedly peacefully protesting against the filing of an alleged false case against Advocate Priyanka Tyagi. The policemen are said to have lathi-charged the lawyers due to which many advocates sustained minor to severe injuries.

The SCBA in its resolution has demanded the Uttar Pradesh Government to take the following steps immediately:

• Investigate the incident and bring the guilty police officers to justice.

• Censure the police officers responsible for the lathi charge.

• Pay compensation to the injured advocates.

• Take measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur.

• Introduce and implement the Advocates Protection Act for protection of advocates and its families against such brutal incidents.

• Take steps to improve the law and order situation in the State and to ensure that the police personnel are accountable for their actions.

The SCBA also urged the Bar Council of India (BCI) and all other State Bar Councils to take steps to protect advocates, so that they are able to discharge their duties without fear of intimidation or harassment.

The Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh today declared a state-wide strike by advocates in light of the incident. The UP Bar Council urged the Government to take action against errant police officers and to provide compensation to the injured lawyers. The State Bar Council has said that if effective and meaningful action is not taken, then an emergency meeting will be called on 3rd September 2023 for discussing further strategy on the matter.

The High Court Bar Association Allahabad also declared that it would abstain from work today, i.e., 30th August 2023 in solidarity. The Association requested the Chief Justice to not pass any adverse orders in cases due to non-appearance.