Lawyers at Delhi’s Rohini Court will abstain from judicial work on October 5 and seek to stop police officers from entering the court complex, according to a notice issued by the Rohini Court Bar Association. The protest follows allegations that police personnel misbehaved with and assaulted an advocate at Mahendra Park police station on September 29.
The association’s executive committee said the court’s judicial work would remain completely suspended on Monday. It also announced that police officers from any district would not be allowed to enter the Rohini Court complex for one day. The decision is expected to affect court appearances, hearings and routine coordination between the police and the district court system.
According to the notice signed by bar president Rajiv Teharan and honorary secretary Pradeep Khatri, advocate Kamaldeep was allegedly subjected to misbehaviour and physical assault at the Mahendra Park police station. The association said it raised the matter with the joint commissioner of police, the deputy commissioner of police for the North-West district and the principal district and sessions judge for the North-West district.
The bar association said senior police officials had been approached over the incident and that the deputy commissioner of police had assured the committee that strict and appropriate action would be taken against the officers allegedly involved. However, the association alleges that instead of action against the police personnel, a case was registered against Kamaldeep. It further claimed that the executive committee was not informed about the registration of the case despite the assurances given during discussions.
The association described the handling of the matter as a breach of trust with the legal community and criticised what it called the arbitrary conduct of the authorities. In its notice, the committee said the dignity, safety and professional independence of lawyers could not be compromised. It also said it would oppose attempts to intimidate or threaten advocates practising in the courts.
The proposed restriction on police entry creates an operational issue for the court complex because police officers routinely attend hearings, produce accused persons, provide case-related assistance and coordinate with court staff and lawyers. The supplied notice does not specify how urgent hearings, custodial matters or other essential court functions will be handled during the protest.
The bar association has appealed to its members to remain united and cooperate with the decision to stay away from judicial work. The notice does not include a response from the Delhi Police or specify whether the proposed entry restriction has been accepted by the court administration. The protest is scheduled for October 5 at the Rohini Court complex.