Lawyers observe a ‘no work day’ to protest ‘threats’ to senior advocate

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has written to Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, seeking urgent intervention, action and protection to advocate Sachdev, former president of the Jalandhar District Bar Association.

On Tuesday, a meeting between Jalandhar’s lawyers and city Commissionerate officials has been scheduled to chalk out a further strategy.

Bar Association president Aditya Jain said, “Our colleague, senior advocate Mandeep Singh Sachdev, was asked to pay extortion money. The accused also threatened to harm his family. Although an FIR was registered, charges were not properly framed.”

Jain said, “A trap was laid, and when the accused, identified as Sam, came to collect the money, the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) staff caught him. But police later released the accused, saying he is innocent.”

Questioning his release, Jain said, “If someone comes to collect extortion money, can he truly be considered innocent?”

Jain alleged, “Sam started posting objectionable content about family members of the advocate on various social media platforms. The contents were removed after a police intervention.”

Jain said the Bar Association’s demands include thorough action in the case, proper framing of legal sections in the FIR, and an investigation by central agencies “so that justice can be done transparently”.

In a strongly worded letter on September 22, the BCI expressed “grave concern within the legal fraternity” over the incident, and called it “a direct assault on the dignity, safety and independence of the legal profession”.

The letter mentioned: “According to the communication, Sandeep Singh, allegedly operating social media accounts from Canada, along with his brother Jatinder Singh and an associate named Sam Kwatra, repeatedly demanded ransom from Sachdev through Facebook messenger and phone calls. On September 18, one of the accused, Sam Kwatra, was caught while allegedly attempting to collect ransom money from Sachdev’s office at Plaza Chowk in Jalandhar.”

The BCI, however, expressed “shock over releasing the accused despite registration of an FIR and without a fair and impartial investigation”.

The letter pointed out “defamatory and scandalous videos targeting Sachdev and his family were subsequently circulated on social media”. It also cited “credible inputs” suggesting the alleged involvement of Parminder Singh, father of Sandeep Singh, who recently returned from Canada.

Demanding strict action, the Bar Council called upon the Punjab Police to arrest and prosecute all those involved, provide adequate security to Sachdev and his family, and ensure accountability of police officials for any lapses.

“The Bar Council of India views this matter as a direct assault on the dignity, safety, and independence of the legal profession. A strong and immediate response from your office will go a long way in restoring confidence among advocates,” the letter signed by BCI member Suvir Sidhu stated.

The letter has also been marked to the Jalandhar Commissioner of Police.