Lawless at Saket court: Advocates beat cop, litigants

Monday was the first day of a strike called by the Delhi High Court Bar Association and the bar associations of all district courts in the capital following violence at Tis Hazari, where a parking dispute between an advocate and a sentry of the 3rd Battalion snowballed into a violent clash.

An advocate suffered a gunshot injury, eight advocates were injured in lathicharge and at least 20 policemen were beaten up, apart from over 20 vehicles being damaged and set ablaze by lawyers. Both sides have blamed the other — police claim lawyers started the violence and attacked 3rd Battalion personnel, while lawyers maintain police used excessive force and said firing inside court premises was unacceptable.

On Sunday, a division bench of the High Court ordered a judicial enquiry into the incident, suspension of two ASIs and transfer of two senior police officers.

The protest at Saket district court began at 9.30 am Monday, when litigants and even court staff were not allowed to enter. Lawyers gathered at the entrance of the Lawyers Chamber building and took out a march at the court, shouting slogans against the Delhi Police.

One video shot on a mobile phone, which local police are looking into, shows a policeman being cornered by a group of lawyers. One of them attacks the policeman with his elbow, slaps him and hurls his helmet towards him as he flees. Inside the court, several lawyers also tried to damage a locked up police post.

Later, a group of lawyers gathered outside gate 3 of the premises and tore down a Delhi Police signpost and cornered a litigant. He was assaulted by lawyers, who tore his clothes and kicked him.

Looking for a phone to call police and clutching his torn shirt, the litigant said: “I was speaking to my lawyer outside the court and they suddenly assaulted me. They also broke my phone.”

DCP (South) Atul Thakur said, “Both videos are from today. The assaults took place on the road outside the court premises. The policeman has been identified as a constable from the South district. An inquiry is on. Policemen will report for court duty and this incident will not deter us.” Police said they have received complaints from two civilians.

Inside Saket court, advocates gathered around staircases, while some entered courtrooms seeking adjournments citing indefinite protest. Even though there is an order directing metropolitan magistrates to sit on remand proceedings for undertrials at the city’s three jails, advocates said they won’t allow the court to function unless the officers involved in Saturday’s incident are arrested.

Advocate Yash Thakur said, “We did not even allow court staff to enter. Policemen have not dared to come to Saket court.” Advocate Gaurav Tokas said, “We want the government to implement the Advocate Protection Act, which has been pending for a long time.”

On the other hand, several advocates came out of Saket court’s gate 2 and sat with their clients on the pavement. A woman lawyer said, “I am in solidarity with lawyers, but assaulting litigants is not done. For their safety, we are coming out and advising them on the roadside.”

Meanwhile, at Tis Hazari court, retired Justice S P Garg reached the premises in the morning and inspected the lock-up area where the incident took place. Over a 100 lawyers had gathered in the area to burn an effigy of the Delhi Police.

Even though court premises were not barred for staff and litigants, the strike continued. Advocate Gurmeet Nehra said, “It was a peaceful protest…” DCP (North) Monika Bhardwaj said no violence was reported at Tis Hazari court Monday.

Meanwhile, the Bar Council of India urged all lawyers to resume work from November 5 and “not resort to any action that would tarnish our image…”

The Delhi High Court Monday postponed elections to bar associations at Tis Hazari and Karkardooma courts, which were scheduled for November 5 and 7.