Tis Hazari Clash: MHA Seeks Clarification on Delhi HC Order

A police vehicle was set on fire and eight others were vandalised during the fracas. Eight bikes were also torched.

A police vehicle after it was burnt during clashes between lawyers and police personnel at Tis Hazari Court complex on Saturday, 2 November.

(Photo: Arun Sharma/PTI)

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday, 5 November, filed an application seeking clarification on the Delhi High Court order that directed no coercive step be taken against the lawyers against whom, following their clash with the police at Tis Hazari Court on Saturday, an FIR was registered.

Six cases were registered in connection with the clash in which at least 20 police personnel and several lawyers were injured as well as many vehicles were vandalised and set on fire, a Delhi Police spokesperson said on Sunday, PTI reported.

Delhi High Court had directed Delhi Police Commissioner to transfer Special Commissioner Sanjay Singh & Additional DCP Harinder Singh, in connection with the case.

The Bench, comprising Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar, had also ordered a judicial inquiry by retired Justice SP Garg into the clash, noting that it should be completed within six weeks, according to The Hindu.

The cases were registered on separate complaints of the District Judge of Tis Hazari Court, two advocates, and a Delhi Police constable who was injured in the incident, additional PRO of the Delhi Police Anil Mittal said.

The Supreme Court Advocates-On-Record Association, on Sunday, wrote to the Chief Justice of India Justice Ranjan Gogoi, requesting him to take suo moto action regarding the clash between the police and lawyers at Tis Hazari Court in Delhi on Saturday, according to ANI.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police said a Special Investigation Team has been constituted to investigate all six cases.

An assistant sub-inspector of police, who was accused of taking the lawyer to lockup, has been suspended and departmental action has been taken against one who allegedly fired at the lawyers.

Delhi HC Bar Association Calls for One-Day Strike

Earlier, following the clash, Delhi High Court had issued a notice to Centre, Bar Council of India, Bar Council of Delhi, Delhi government, all bar associations of district courts of Delhi and the Delhi High Court Bar Association.

Members of the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) had called for a one-day strike across all district courts in the national capital on Monday.

The Bar Council of Delhi also announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh each to the two lawyers who are currently in the ICU and Rs 50,000 to other lawyers who sustained injuries during the clashes.

The DCBA will depute proxy counsel in every court, ANI reported. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) said that the Chairman of the Bar Council of Delhi, the CJP and the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court have also taken cognisance of the matter.

The injured included Additional Commissioner of Police (North District) Harinder Kumar, SHOs of Kotwali and Civil Lines, and the operator of deputy commissioner of police (north), the police said.

Lawyers alleged that four of their colleagues were injured, including one in police firing, but the police denied the same.

The injured lawyers have been admitted to the nearby St Stephen’s Hospital, according to news agency ANI.

According to eyewitnesses cited by PTI, there was apparently an argument between some lawyers and police personnel over a parking issue which turned ugly.

Later during the day, police said the situation was under control and the undertrials who were stuck inside the court premises due to the clash were returned to their respective prisons in police vehicles.

Cops at Tis Hazari Court complex after clashes between lawyers and police personnel on 2 November. (Photo: Vijay Verma/PTI)

‘Brutal Unprovoked Attack by Police’: Delhi Bar Council Chairperson

Earlier, lawyers sat on a protest at the gate of the court premises, alleging that the police personnel had opened fire during the incident and demanded action against those involved.

The Chairperson of the Bar Council of Delhi KC Mittal strongly condemned the “brutal unprovoked attack on lawyers by the police”.

“A young lawyer was beaten-up in lock-up, (showing) high-handedness of the police. They should be dismissed and prosecuted. We stand with the Delhi lawyers.”

KC Mittal, Chairperson, Bar Council of Delhi, as quoted by ANI

Meanwhile, Tis Hazari Bar Association’s office-bearer Jai Biswal alleged that the incident took place after a police vehicle hit the vehicle of a lawyer while he was coming to the court.

“When the lawyer confronted them, he was ridiculed and six police personnel carried him inside and thrashed him. People saw this and called the police… The SHO and local police came there but were not allowed to go inside. We informed the high court, a team was sent there along with six judges, but even they were not allowed to go in,” he alleged.

(With inputs from PTI, ANI and The Hindu)