The Punjab and Haryana High Court has initiated a suo motu case over increasing incidents of thefts against advocates, following a representation of by High Court Bar Association..The bar body flagged the issue after a lawyer's wife was killed by burglars. The Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry today asked the police authorities to file their status reports in the matter before January 30."Suo motto cognizance has been taken of the grievance expressed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association in their letter dated 22.01.2026, where instances which took place on 24.12.2025, 27.12.2025 and 30.12.2025 of offences under different sections and wherein FIRs have already been registered. In all these instances Advocates are the victims. In view of the above, this Court directs the State of Punjab and U.T., Administration, Chandigarh to file status report in regard to the nature of progress of the investigation conducted, before this Court in sealed covers," the Court ordered..Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association on Thursday had held a General House meeting to discuss the series of incidents involving senior members of the legal fraternity and the alleged lack of effective and timely investigation by the concerned police authorities.These incidents include the murder of Ashok Kumari Goyal, wife of Krishan Kumar Goyal, former secretary of the Bar Association. The victim was murdered by burglars who looted cash and ornaments from their house. Punjab police have made arrests in the case. However, the Bar Association has alleged that complete recovery of the robbed property is still pending..In a statement released on Thursday, the bar body said,“The Bar Association has emphasised that the issue is not confined to individual cases but concerns the safety, security, and confidence of members of the legal fraternity and the public at large. The General House also resolved to reconvene on 27 January 2026 to review developments and decide further course of action."Following the General House meeting, the Bar Association had forwarded a representation to the Chief Justice for judicial intervention so that status reports can be called from the concerned Senior Superintendents of Police.It also highlighted the recent thefts at the residence of two other lawyers Jasmeet Singh Bhatia and Vishal Handa. Valuable ornaments, cash and other articles were stolen from the residences. The Bar Association said that no effective action was taken by the investigating agency and thus called for the Court’s intervention..[Read Order].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.
