The Supreme Court has taken note of allegations made by a woman advocate practising before the Apex Court that she and her client were assaulted by a Bar Association office-bearer inside the Lucknow District Court premises in connection with a land-grabbing dispute.
The advocate also alleged that her client was being unlawfully confined and that the accused was obstructing the administration of justice by preventing them from appearing before the trial court.
The allegations were brought before the Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Tuesday at the end of the day’s proceedings through virtual mentioning.
The advocate informed the Court that she had travelled to the Lucknow District Court to appear in a land-grabbing matter in which the defendant was an office-bearer of the local Bar Association. She alleged that the office-bearer prevented her from entering the court, physically assaulted her and her client, and obstructed the judicial proceedings.
She further submitted that her client continued to remain in the custody of members of the Bar Association and expressed concern over the client’s safety. According to the advocate, the situation had become so hostile that she was compelled to leave the District Court premises and seek refuge at the Allahabad High Court, claiming that it was unsafe for her to return.
She also alleged that the office-bearer was carrying a firearm and that advocates were being intimidated from conducting their professional duties.
The advocate informed the Bench that she had initially approached the Allahabad High Court for urgent relief but was advised to move the Supreme Court in view of the urgency of the matter.
Taking note of the allegations, the Chief Justice observed that the accusations were serious but indicated that immediate judicial intervention during oral mentioning was procedurally difficult. The Bench advised the advocate to immediately seek an appointment with the administrative judge concerned, Justice Rajan Roy, so that appropriate administrative action could be initiated without delay.
The CJI stated that he would communicate the matter to Justice Roy from his chambers and ensure that the allegations received prompt attention. When the advocate requested urgent assistance for securing the release of her client, who she alleged was being unlawfully confined, the Bench indicated that appropriate action would be taken once a formal petition was filed before the Supreme Court.
The Court further assured the advocate that allegations of advocates being assaulted or prevented from discharging their professional duties would not be ignored. The advocate informed the Bench that she would file an appropriate petition before the Supreme Court on the following day seeking judicial intervention into the incident.
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