New Delhi, November 2, 2019: A few lawyers were injured after police personnel and advocates clashed at Tis Hazari Court in Delhi on Saturday afternoon. An incident of firing was reported; a police vehicle was set on fire and eight others vandalised, said officials.

The injured lawyers have been taken to the St Stephen’s Hospital.A huge posse of police and anti-riot vehicles were deployed at the site after the violence as lawyers sat on a protest at the gate of the court premises, alleging that police personnel had opened fire and demanding action against those responsible.

An office-bearer of the Tis Hazari Bar Association said a police vehicle hit a lawyer’s vehicle when he was coming to the court. “When the lawyer confronted them, he was ridiculed and six police personnel carried him inside and thrashed him. People saw this and called the police,” said Jai Biswal.

Biswal said the Station House Officer (SHO) and local police came to the spot but were not allowed to go inside. “We informed the High Court, a team was sent there along with six judges, but even they were not allowed to go in,” he said. “When they started to leave, the cops fired bullets.”

The injured lawyers said the police fired about four rounds of shots. However, the Delhi Police denied opening fire.

Eyewitnesses said an argument took place between some lawyers and police personnel reportedly over a parking issue, leading to the fracas.

Delhi Police personnel are currently on the spot and trying to control the situation inside the premises. Fire tenders are also present at the location.

Bar Council of Delhi Chairperson KC Mittal strongly condemned the “brutal, unprovoked attack on lawyers”.

“A young lawyer was beaten in lock-up, which is police high-handedness,” said Mittal. “They should be dismissed and prosecuted. We stand with the Delhi lawyers.”

Delhi Congress chief Subhash Chopra visited the court complex along with party members and called for action against the personnel involved in the clash.

Mahavir Sharma, chairperson, and Dhir Singh Kasana of the Coordination Committee Secretary General said lawyers would abstain from work in all Delhi District Courts on Monday to register their protest against the police shooting.
Bar Council of India Chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra described it as “very brutal action of the Delhi Police”.

“Simply because of some parking issue, the police started firing on innocent advocates. The Bar Council cannot tolerate this.” he said. “We have demanded from the higher police officials and the government to immediately arrest the guilty policemen and put them under suspension, failing which the situation may go beyond the control of the government and the Bar Council.”