Punjab & Haryana High Court takes suo motu case over lawyer assault; urges lawyers to resume work

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday took suo motu cognizance over the alleged assault on a lawyer by officials of Crime Investigation Agency (CIA)-1, Hisar [Court on its own motion v. State of Haryana]

A suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) was registered following the High Court Bar Association (HCBA)'s decision to indefinitely suspend judicial work. Since Monday, the lawyers have stayed away from the courtrooms against Punjab Police' failure to register a First Information Report (FIR) in the matter.

In an order on the PIL, a division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry today opined that the written complaint made by advocate Amit prima facie revealed commission of cognizable offences.

Yet it is not understandable as to why an FIR has not been registered, the Court remarked. It, thus, sought an explanation from the State of Punjab.

"Let an affidavit of Director General of Police, Punjab be filed by tomorrow," the Court ordered.

The Court has listed the case for hearing next on Wednesday at 2 pm. With the intervention, the Court said it expects the lawyers to resume the work at the earliest.

However, the HCBA today announced that the lawyers will continue to abstain from work on Wednesday also. A General House meeting of lawyers has also been called at 3 pm on December 17 to discuss further strategy and the court proceedings.

In his complaint, advocate Amit alleged that 5-6 police personnel from Crime Investigation Agency (CIA)- 1, Hisar, Haryana, on November 30 entered his premises in Mohali's Naya Gaon and assaulted him. He also alleged harassment and criminal trespass.

He submitted a written complaint at the local police station the same day and later informed senior police officials by email. However, even after nearly two weeks, no police case has been registered, the Court was told today.