Allahabad High Court Requests Ghaziabad District Judge's Response on Use of 'Brutal' Force Against Lawyers

Prayagraj, Dec 19 (NationPress) The Allahabad High Court on Thursday requested the Ghaziabad district judge to provide a response concerning a public interest litigation (PIL) that demands an impartial and independent investigation into an incident where "brutal and atrocious force" was employed against lawyers inside the courtroom.

A bench consisting of Justices Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Prashant Kumar indicated that the counsel representing the high court's administrative side should obtain guidance from the Ghaziabad district judge.

"Shri Manish Goyal, esteemed senior advocate, alongside Sri Ashish Mishra, counsel for the High Court, is to seek instructions from the learned District Judge, Ghaziabad regarding this matter," instructed the Justice Tripathi-led bench as it scheduled the case for hearing on Friday.

During a prior hearing, the Allahabad HC stated that it would not consider the petition filed by the Bar Association of Ghaziabad until the lawyers resumed their duties.

The petition, submitted by the President of the Ghaziabad bar association, claims that the police provided an "absolutely false and frivolous" explanation for the use of excessive force under the guise of protecting the district judge, and asserts that an independent investigation is essential to uncover the truth.

"The petitioner clarifies that it is not engaging in allegations or counter-allegations but is primarily concerned with upholding the dignity of judicial authority, which has been compromised due to the oppressive actions of the Ghaziabad District Magistrate, who acted as if above the law and resorted to unprovoked violence against lawyers due to personal vendettas or ulterior motives," the petition stated, calling for a fair and unbiased investigation under the aegis of the Allahabad High Court.

Moreover, the PIL requested that the Allahabad HC establish guidelines to ensure that court proceedings conducted by the district judiciary are entirely transparent, including mandatory recording of proceedings to avert any unforeseen incidents in the future and to facilitate immediate identification of wrongdoers.

The petition emphasized that judges and advocates are integral components of the justice system, and the institution of justice cannot operate effectively without both parties. However, it noted that advocates are increasingly being perceived by judicial officers as unwelcome and inferior, resulting in repeated insults and threats from these officers flaunting their authority and immunity.

Consequently, the Bar Association of Ghaziabad is appealing for appropriate guidelines to safeguard the dignity of advocates in the interest of justice, warning that failure to do so could negatively impact the entire justice system.

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has also condemned the police's baton charge on advocates in Ghaziabad, demanding an inquiry by a sitting judge of the Allahabad High Court.

The SCBA urged that compensation be provided to the injured advocates and called for measures to prevent such incidents from happening again.

Additionally, it has urged the Bar Council of India (BCI) and other State Bar Councils to take necessary actions to protect advocates' rights and ensure they can perform their duties without fear of intimidation or harassment.