Tis Hazari Violence: Delhi HC takes suo motu cognizance, notice to Delhi Police, Bar Councils

The Delhi High Court today issued notice to the Delhi Police, Bar Coucil of India, Bar Council of Delhi, Delhi government and all Bar Associations in Delhi with respect to the violence between lawyers and Police personal in Tis Hazari Court yesterday. .A Division Bench headed by Chief Justice DN Patel took suo motu cognizance of the issue based on the media reports on the incident..Posting the mater for further hearing at 3 pm today, Justice Patel directed that all police officials responsible for the incident shall be present in Court..The Bar Council of India has also written a letter to the High Court seeking a direction to the Delhi LG and other authorities to lodge an FIR under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code and other allied sections and the Arms Act against the police personnel..The letter also seeks immediate arrest of responsible police official and initiation of a judicial enquiry by a by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge..A scuffle broke out between lawyers and police personnel at Delhi’s Tis Hazari Court Complex yesterday after an argument between a lawyer and the police over parking..The altercation soon escalated and resulted in serious violence in the Court Complex which included a lawyer getting shot..As per the statement issued by the Delhi Police, 20 police officials including one Additional DCP and 2 SHOs sustained injuries. In the fire, 12 private motorcycles, 1 QRT gipsy of police and 8 jail vans outside the lock-up were damaged, it is informed..The statement further informs that complaints from both sides have been registered and an SIT of the crime branch would investigate the cases..The Delhi Police has also clarified that gunshots were fired in the air for the safety of under trial prisoners and in self-defence after a group of lawyers stormed the police lockup. The circumstances of the gunshot injury to the lawyer is also being investigated with the help of the CFSL team..The condition of the lawyer who sustained gunshot injuries is critical but under control..[Read the BCI’s petition to the Delhi High Court on the issue]