The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Monday, 13 July strongly condemned the alleged brutal assault on advocate Pankaj Sharma, a senior member of the Bar, calling it a direct attack on the institution of justice and raising serious concerns about the adequacy of the police investigation. The Bar body's Executive Committee passed a formal resolution demanding immediate intervention by the Delhi Police Commissioner.

What Happened

Sharma was allegedly attacked at his New Delhi residence by his neighbour on 11 July, sustaining serious injuries. The SCBA's resolution noted that despite the gravity of the incident, the First Information Report (FIR) reportedly failed to incorporate charges relating to the grievous injuries inflicted on Sharma or the alleged attempt on his life. The Bar association further alleged that repeated complaints had yielded no effective police action and that neither Sharma nor his family had been provided meaningful protection.

SCBA's Key Concerns

The Executive Committee's resolution stated it was 'deeply disturbed' that an advocate of the Supreme Court of India could be 'left vulnerable to violence, intimidation and continued threats without adequate protection from the law enforcement authorities.' The SCBA stressed that such incidents 'strike at the very foundation of the rule of law and undermine public confidence in the administration of justice.'

The association also drew a broader implication: 'If an Advocate of the Supreme Court of India can be subjected to a brutal physical assault, followed by continued threats and intimidation to his family, without adequate protection or prompt and effective police action, it raises serious concerns about the ability of ordinary citizens to secure the protection of law,' the resolution read.

Demands Placed Before Delhi Police

The SCBA urged the Delhi Police Commissioner to review the ongoing investigation and ensure that all offences disclosed by the facts and available medical evidence are duly investigated. It called for prompt legal action against every person allegedly involved in the assault, criminal intimidation, and any subsequent interference with the probe. The Bar body also demanded immediate and adequate police protection for Sharma and every member of his family so they could pursue legal remedies 'without fear, intimidation or coercion.'

SCBA's Stand

'The SCBA firmly stands with Mr. Sharma and is going to support him in dealing with this heinous attack,' the resolution declared. The association underscored that 'an attack on an advocate is not merely an attack on an individual; it is an attack on the institution of justice itself.' The SCBA's intervention signals that the country's apex Bar body views the case as a test of the legal fraternity's security and the state's commitment to upholding the rule of law.

With the resolution now formally on record, all eyes turn to the Delhi Police and whether the investigation will be strengthened to reflect the seriousness of the alleged offences.