New Delhi, Oct 28 (IANS) The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Wednesday strongly condemned the alleged intimidation and threatening conduct of police officials towards advocates at Shahdara Police Station in Delhi, including the reported display of a revolver by a police officer to intimidate members of the legal fraternity.
In a resolution passed on Wednesday, the SCBA Executive Committee termed the alleged conduct unacceptable, and said that it posed a grave threat to the dignity, independence and safety of advocates, besides showing disrespect to the judiciary.
“The use or display of a firearm to intimidate advocates who are legitimately seeking justice cannot be tolerated in a society governed by the rule of law,” the resolution stated.
Expressing solidarity with the advocates of the Delhi District Courts, the SCBA said any attempt to intimidate, threaten or obstruct lawyers in the discharge of their professional duties amounted to an attack on the independence of the legal profession and the administration of justice.
“The SCBA demands immediate and strict action against the erring officials in accordance with law,” it said.
The resolution was issued by the Honourary Secretary, Pragya Baghel, on behalf of the SCBA’s Executive Committee.
The Bar body reiterated that such alleged conduct must be dealt with firmly, stressing that advocates must be able to discharge their professional responsibilities without intimidation or threats.
Meanwhile, the Coordination Committee of All District Court Bar Associations of Delhi has demanded the immediate suspension of the ACP, who allegedly displayed his revolver and threatened advocates who approached the police station seeking accountability, and the concerned SHO pending an impartial inquiry.
As a mark of protest, advocates abstained from judicial work in all district courts in the national capital on Tuesday (October 27), following a unanimous resolution by the Coordination Committee.
It appealed to members of the Bar to maintain unity and solidarity, emphasising that concerns affecting the safety and dignity of advocates required serious attention from the appropriate authorities.
–IANS
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