CHIEF JUSTICE OF DELHI HIGH COURT TAKES NOTICE OF POLICE ASSAULT ON ADVOCATE, DIRECTS CRIME BRANCH TO DO INVESTIGATION, JOINT COMMISSIONER TO SUPERVISE THE INVESTIGATION

PRESS RELEASE/ 19.10.11

Advocate Shreeji Bhavsar of Human Rights Law Network was abused and assaulted by Sub Inspector of Delhi Police at Police Station Sarita Vihar in the evening of 16.10.11 when he had gone there to get a first information report registered against an illegal demolition in a locality, predominantly inhabited by people from dalit community. Shreeji suffered fracture in one hand and wounds in the other hand. He was taken to All India Institute of Medical Sciences where he got medical treatment. When he and his colleagues tried to register a complaint, police started harassing and intimidating the lawyer and also the residents of the locality who had gone with him to lodge the FIR.

It was in this situation that one of Shreeji’s colleagues Advocate Divya Jyoti Jaipuriar filed a Writ Petition in Delhi High Court, which was argued by Advocate Anubha Rastogi.  The matter was heard by a Devision bench comprising acting Chief Justice Arjun Sikri and Justice Rajeev Sahay Endlaw on 19.10.11. Lawyers’ fraternity was shocked when they heard about this incident and many senior lawyers came ahead to support the petition and even argued the case before Court for a strict action against police officer and to put in place some guidelines for future. President of Delhi High Court Bar Association was personally present during the hearing.

Considering the seriousness of issues, Standing Counsel for Government of Delhi and also of Delhi Police was called by the High Court and it was intimated on their behalf that Sub Inspector O P Yadav has been suspended from immediate effect. Hon’ble Delhi High Court in its order dated 19.10.11 had directed that a First Information Report against Sub Inspector O P Yadav be immediately lodged and to ensure unbiased investigation, has directed Crime Branch to carry out investigation within one week. Joint Commssioner of Police has been directed to supervise the investigation.  After investigation, charge sheet will be filed in appropriate court for further action. 

When Hon’ble Court was apprised about repeated incidents of similar nature, Court fixed the case for further hearing to frame appropriate guidelines to check abuse of police authority on citizens and lawyers.

For Futher details,

Please Contact:

Advocate Anubha Rastogi / 09810527453

Advocate Shreeji Bhavsar / 08800731919

Email: litigation.delhi@hrln.org

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