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Delhi High Court Bar Association members will wear black ribbons to protest alleged police excesses against advocates. (Img: X)
New Delhi: Members of the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) will wear black ribbons during court proceedings on Monday to register their protest against the alleged use of excessive force by Delhi Police against advocates detained during a demonstration in the national capital.
The symbolic protest follows the Association’s October 10 resolution condemning the police action against lawyers participating in a demonstration over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
In its resolution, the Bar Association expressed strong disapproval of what it described as the excessive and disproportionate use of force against protesting advocates, including women lawyers. It also raised concerns over video footage that purportedly showed members of the legal fraternity, including senior advocates, being physically dragged by police personnel.
The Association characterised the alleged conduct as an affront to the dignity and constitutional rights of advocates. It called for accountability over the manner in which the protesters were handled.
According to reports published media, the DHCBA’s objection centred on both the detention of lawyers and the alleged manner in which the police exercised force during the demonstration.
Senior Advocate Shadan Farasat, who represents petitioners challenging the SIR exercise before the Supreme Court, was among the advocates detained during Saturday’s protest. Media reports stated that he was allegedly manhandled during the police action and that his shirt was torn.
Senior Advocate Dinesh Dwivedi was also reported to have been detained, along with other members of the legal fraternity.
The incident prompted concerns within the Bar over the treatment of advocates participating in a demonstration and the need to safeguard their personal liberty and professional dignity.
The DHCBA’s decision to ask members to wear black ribbons on Monday is intended to demonstrate solidarity with the advocates affected by the police action and reiterate the Association’s opposition to the alleged excesses.
The protest comes amid wider legal and political scrutiny of the restrictions imposed in the capital during demonstrations concerning the Election Commission and the SIR process. The Association’s stand underscores its demand that the rights and dignity of members of the legal profession be respected while law-enforcement agencies discharge their duties.
