Have Delhi Lawyers Ended Their Strike with Police Agreement?
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Synopsis
In a major turn of events, Delhi lawyers have called off their strike after the police committed to appearing physically in criminal trials. This decision is a significant win for advocates, ensuring a fairer judicial process. As legal battles resume, the implications for litigants are profound. Read on to discover how this development reshapes the legal landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Lawyers in Delhi have ended their strike.
- Police are now required to testify in person at criminal trials.
- This decision is a response to advocates' demands for fair trials.
- The resolution aims to restore normalcy in the court system.
- Collaboration between lawyers and police could improve judicial outcomes.
New Delhi, Sep 8 (NationPress) In a significant relief for litigants, attorneys in the lower courts of Delhi have officially ended their strike after the Delhi Police Commissioner, Satish Golcha, issued directives mandating that all police personnel must present their testimonies in person during criminal court proceedings – a pivotal demand from the protesting lawyers.
Commissioner Golcha's directive effectively modifies the previous plan permitting busy police officers to testify through video conferencing for all cases, including civil matters.
On Monday, V.K. Singh, the chairman of the Coordination Committee of All District Courts Bar Associations in Delhi, circulated a notice retracting the call for a work stoppage.
He stated, “With the issuance of a circular from the Commissioner of Police indicating that all police officials must attend criminal trials in person to provide testimony, we are withdrawing the call for abstinence from work.”
Anil Kumar Basoya, Secretary General of the Coordination Committee, explained the rationale behind concluding the protest, saying, “As our demand for police officials to appear physically in courts has been fulfilled, we are retracting the call for abstinence from work.”
The lawyers' protest stemmed from an August 13 notification by Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena that allowed police personnel to provide evidence via video conferencing.
The advocates opposed this plan, insisting on the necessity for police officers to be present in court to guarantee fair trials for litigants. Last month, they staged a six-day strike against the LG's notification.
The lawyers escalated their protest on September 4 when the Police Commissioner’s office sent a letter to principal district and sessions judges regarding the virtual appearances of police personnel.
Following this, the Police Commissioner amended the September 4 order, mandating that police officers now appear in court to testify in criminal cases.
This latest directive, sanctioned by the Police Commissioner, was disseminated by Special CP (Crime) Devesh Chandra Srivastava to all Deputy Commissioners of Police across districts and units, in addition to Special/Joint/Additional Commissioners of Police.
On Saturday, the Bar Council of India urged the Coordination Committee to reconsider their planned strike, referencing the Supreme Court's ruling that prohibits lawyers from striking or boycotting court proceedings.
The BCI also highlighted the difficulties faced by litigants, including those awaiting trial and crime victims, due to the strike and encouraged the withdrawal of the protest.
Point of View
It is essential to recognize the complexities behind the lawyers' strike in Delhi. The resolution reflects both the advocates' dedication to ensuring justice and the necessity for law enforcement's physical presence in court. This agreement not only alleviates the burden on litigants but also reinforces the integrity of the judicial process, a cornerstone of democracy.
NationPress
08/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the lawyers' strike in Delhi?
The lawyers' strike was prompted by a notification allowing police personnel to provide evidence via video conferencing, which advocates believed undermined the fairness of trials.
How did the police respond to the lawyers' demands?
The police responded to the lawyers' demands by issuing a directive requiring all police personnel to appear physically in court for criminal trials.
What are the implications of the strike being called off?
The implications include a return to normal court operations, ensuring that litigants receive fair trials with police testimony delivered in person.
What does this mean for future lawyer-police relations?
This agreement may foster better collaboration between lawyers and police, ultimately benefiting the judicial process.
Will there be any further protests from the lawyers?
As of now, the lawyers have called off their strike, but future actions will depend on ongoing negotiations and developments.
