Lawyers protest Lucknow: High Court seeks report from UP govt on violence on court premises

The bench has fixed February 18 as the next date of hearing in the matter.

Uttar Pradesh Advocate General (AG) Vijay Bahdaur Singh, who appeared before the bench on behalf of the state government, said he submitted 25 pictures carrying images of lawyers torching and damaging vehicles, indulging in brick-batting and of the lawyer who was seen brandishing a revolver wearing his uniform. A brief report was also submitted on the violence as provided by the Home Department, he added.

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Singh said along with the Registrar, the presidents and secretaries of various bar associations, including Oudh and central bars, too, have been issued notices to appear before the bench.

Six FIRs, no arrests

Lucknow Police Thursday registered six FIRs into the arson, brick-batting and damaging of vehicles against unidentified lawyers at Wazirganj police station on complaints filed by the SHO, officials of Health Directorate, UP Roadways and CRPF. While heavy police force continued to be deployed near the courts, lawyers in Lucknow and Kanpur abstained from work in protest against the lathicharge on Wednesday. IG (Law and Order) Bhagwan Swaroop admitted that police were yet to make any arrests.

Condemnable: Azam Khan

State parliamentary affairs minister Azam Khan condemned the protest by lawyers when Leader of Opposition Swami Prasad Maurya raised the issue soon as the House assembled Thursday morning. In his reply, Azam termed the incident as “a serious issue” where protectors of law committed such acts which needed a serious thought. “House should condemn it. What action would any government, irrespective of party, take in such a situation? Licensed revolvers were used to fire. Government acted with restrain,” Azam said.