Delhi High Court to hear PIL seeking action against ACP Manasvi Vashistha over alleged threats to advocates. (Img: X)
The Delhi High Court has agrred to hear on Friday a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking action against Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manasvi Vashistha and other police officials over alleged threats, intimidation and derogatory remarks directed at advocates.
The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma agreed to hear the matter on November 6 after it was urgently mentioned before it on Wednesday.
The petition, filed by advocate Karan Bir Singh, raises concerns over the alleged misuse of official authority by serving police personnel and seeks measures to protect the professional independence, dignity and safety of advocates. The plea also calls for an independent, time-bound investigation into the alleged misconduct and appropriate criminal and departmental proceedings wherever warranted.
The matter was mentioned for urgent hearing before a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma. After considering the request for urgent listing, the court said that the petition would be taken up on Friday.
The petition has named the Union of India, Delhi Police Commissioner, Special Commissioner of Police (Vigilance), ACP Manasvi Vashistha and Sub-Inspector Vishal Yadav as respondents.
According to the petitioner, videos circulating on social media allegedly show ACP Vashistha making threatening and derogatory remarks against advocates. The plea refers to statements suggesting that lawyers visiting police stations in groups could face detention and criminal proceedings.
The petition also refers to an alleged video involving Sub-Inspector Vishal Yadav, in which he purportedly threatened to fire an AK-47 rifle at an advocate if the lawyer laid hands on him.
The petitioner has argued that such statements, if established, could raise serious questions concerning criminal intimidation, the exercise of police authority and the security of advocates while performing their professional responsibilities.
The plea has also questioned the participation of serving police personnel in the demonstration held outside Delhi Police headquarters. It has sought an examination of the alleged participation under the provisions of the Police Forces (Restriction of Rights) Act, 1966, along with applicable service regulations and conduct rules.
The petitioner has argued that the alleged conduct of the police officials requires institutional scrutiny, particularly in view of the responsibilities associated with maintaining law and order and protecting the rights of citizens.
The petition further states that ACP Manasvi Vashistha has reportedly been placed under suspension. However, it maintains that the reported suspension alone does not address the wider allegations involving other police personnel, alleged criminal intimidation and the need for institutional safeguards.
Apart from seeking action against the concerned police officials, the petition has requested the authorities to ensure the safety, dignity and professional independence of advocates.
It also seeks the removal of specifically identified social media videos and other publications allegedly containing unlawful threats. However, the plea emphasises that the original electronic evidence should be preserved before any such material is taken down.
The petitioner has sought an independent and time-bound inquiry into the alleged misconduct of the concerned police personnel. It has also requested appropriate criminal and departmental proceedings wherever the allegations are found to warrant such action.
The plea places particular emphasis on accountability within the police establishment and the need to ensure that disagreements between law enforcement personnel and members of the legal fraternity do not compromise the professional rights or personal safety of advocates.
The legal proceedings come against the backdrop of an escalating confrontation between Delhi Police personnel and lawyers following a dispute at Shahdara police station over the handling of an assault case involving advocate Lalit Bansal.
Several district court lawyers subsequently launched an indefinite strike, alleging that ACP Manasvi Vashistha and Shahdara police station Station House Officer (SHO) Arun Kumar had threatened them when they visited the police station in connection with the handling of the assault case.
The protesting advocates demanded action against the police officers concerned and raised questions over the treatment of lawyers at the police station.
As the confrontation intensified, ACP Vashistha and SHO Arun Kumar were transferred. The developments also triggered an unprecedented demonstration by police personnel outside Delhi Police headquarters.
On Monday morning, around 100 Delhi Police personnel gathered outside Gate No. 1 of the police headquarters, demanding a meeting with Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar. ACP Manasvi Vashistha was among the personnel participating in the demonstration. The protesters were seeking an opportunity to meet the Police Commissioner over the developments arising from the confrontation with lawyers at Shahdara police station.
The demonstration followed the dispute over the handling of the assault case and the subsequent indefinite strike announced by lawyers across various district courts. According to the reported developments, ACP Vashistha was subsequently placed under suspension on disciplinary grounds relating to an alleged violation of discipline.
The upcoming hearing assumes significance amid the continuing tensions between the police establishment and the legal fraternity in the national capital. The PIL seeks judicial intervention on issues involving alleged criminal intimidation, police accountability, professional independence and the protection of advocates.
The petitioner's requests include an independent investigation, preservation of electronic evidence, examination of the conduct of the officials concerned and appropriate legal action wherever justified.
The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear the matter on Friday. The proceedings will bring the allegations and the reliefs sought in the PIL before the court, amid the wider dispute over the conduct of police personnel and the demands raised by protesting lawyers.
