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Synopsis

In a significant development, the Ghaziabad Bar Association has approached the Allahabad High Court, seeking a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the recent lathi-charge incident involving lawyers at the Ghaziabad District Court premises.

Filed through Advocate Jawahir Yadav, the criminal writ petition urges that the investigation be supervised directly by the High Court to ensure an impartial examination of the incident, which has drawn considerable public and social media attention.

The petition also seeks the issuance of a show-cause notice to the Ghaziabad District Magistrate, invoking Article 215 of the Indian Constitution, which grants the High Court powers to uphold its authority.

Further, the association has requested interim relief to prevent any retaliatory action against bar members who have been named in an FIR following the incident.

The Ghaziabad Bar Association’s plea pertains to the events leading up to the confrontation, stating that the incident occurred when a group of lawyers approached District and Sessions Judge Anil Kumar regarding a bail application. The petition claims the judge refused to hear or transfer the matter, leading to an exchange of words. Allegedly, the judge then called for police intervention, which escalated into a lathi-charge against the lawyers. The situation reportedly intensified as videos circulated online, showing police and CRPF personnel using force to disperse lawyers, while some lawyers responded by throwing chairs.

Highlighting the alleged misconduct, the Bar Association claims the District Judge went as far as to direct police officials to use excessive force, even ordering them to open fire, which the association argues is a blatant abuse of authority. Asserting that the judicial system's dignity is at risk, the petition further accuses local law enforcement of bias, urging that only an independent agency can ensure a fair investigation.

The association has also requested the Commissioner of Police to preserve CCTV footage from the district court premises, to be handed over to the SIT for review. It argues that the footage is critical for understanding the sequence of events and evaluating claims of unprovoked violence against lawyers.

An e-filed case by the association submitted on November 1, 2024, is currently pending at the reporting stage in the Allahabad High Court.

Case Title: Bar Association Ghaziabad Versus State of U. P. through the Secretary (Home) Government of U.P. at Lucknow and others