Several advocates detained by the Delhi Police during protests in the national capital on Saturday were released following the intervention of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, after the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta brought the matter to his attention.
The development came amid heightened security arrangements in Delhi ahead of a proposed demonstration by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar, seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The detention of lawyers triggered concern within the legal fraternity, prompting the SCBA to seek the CJI’s intervention over reports that advocates had been taken into custody while participating in protests in the vicinity of the Supreme Court.
Following representations from members of the Bar, CJI Surya Kant spoke to the authorities concerned regarding the detained advocates. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also intervened in the matter. The advocates were subsequently released, according to information shared following the intervention.
In a resolution, the SCBA expressed serious concern over the reported detention of advocates, including women lawyers, and called for immediate steps to ascertain their whereabouts and ensure their safety. The association urged the authorities to secure the release of those detained without lawful justification and ensure that they had access to legal assistance.
The Bar body also called for the circumstances surrounding the detentions and allegations of excessive use of force to be examined, emphasising the need for accountability in accordance with law. SCBA Honorary Secretary Pragya Baghel communicated the association’s concerns to the CJI, while the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) also raised the issue.
The detentions took place against the backdrop of extensive police deployment and preventive measures across Delhi ahead of the CJP demonstration. The proposed protest centred on allegations of wrongful deletion of voters’ names and other irregularities in the SIR exercise. The Election Commission has maintained that the revision process is intended to verify and update electoral rolls.
The police action and detention of advocates raised concerns within the legal community over the treatment of lawyers during the protests. The SCBA’s intervention sought to ensure the safety and release of the detained members of the Bar, while also calling for scrutiny of the circumstances in which the detentions were carried out.
The advocates’ release followed the intervention of the CJI and representations by the SCBA, SCAORA and the Solicitor General.
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