Tis Hazari Violence: District and Sessions Judge warns against forwarding content in social media

The District and Sessions Judge, Delhi, Girish Kathpalia has strictly warned all officials in district courts to refrain from forwarding any videos, photographs or texts pertaining to the recent Tis Hazari Violence on social media or any other platform..The circular issued today further directs all the officials to abstain from unnecessary comments and discussions on the matter. However, the circular also mentions that, if anyone obtains any important or verifiable information, then the same shall be shared with the District Judge personally..The Circular has been issued in view of the continued tension between lawyers in Delhi Police after a scuffle that broke out between lawyers and police personnel at Delhi’s Tis Hazari Court Complex on November 2..The altercation which started with an argument between a lawyer and a Delhi Police personnel over parking soon escalated and resulted in serious violence in the Court Complex which included a lawyer getting shot..The Delhi High Court soon took suo-moto cognizance of the matter and ordered a judicial inquiry headed by Justice (retd.) SP Garg into the Tis Hazari violence. While doing so, it also granted protection from coercive action against the lawyers in connection with the FIRs registered against them by Delhi Police..As lawyers across the district courts in the city have been abstaining from work since November 4, incidents of Delhi Police personnel, as well as litigants, being manhandled by them are also attracting attention on social media..The High Court has also postponed the elections of the Bar Associations at Tis Hazari and Karkardooma Courts which were slated to be held on November 5 and November 7, respectively..Meanwhile, the BCI warned that strict action would be taken against lawyers who indulged in the violence..It is also reported that the Delhi Police would be moving the High Court in review against the November 3 order..[Read the Circular here]