Delhi HC Postpones Bar Association Polls Of District Courts After Clashes Between Lawyers, Police

Delhi High Court on Monday postponed the bar association elections of Tiz Hazari and Karkardooma district courts. The court has taken this decision considering the protests by lawyers in the national capital following the clash between lawyers and police in the Tis Hazari court complex on Saturday. 

A bench of justices G S Sistani and Anup Jairam Bhambhani said that the elections are postponed till further orders.

"In view of the unfortunate incident that took place at Tis Hazari Courts on November 2, we deem it appropriate to postpone the elections of the Bar associations at Tis Hazari and Karkardooma courts scheduled for November 5 and 7, respectively.

"Accordingly, elections of the bar associations at Tis Hazari and Karkardooma Courts stand postponed till further orders," it said. The bench said a copy of the order be brought to the notice of the respective election commissioner and court observer immediately.

The lawyers did not participate and appear in proceedings and only proxy counsel are taking dates.                

Advocate Naginder Benipal, executive member of the Delhi High Court Bar Association, said lawyers have supported and cooperated with the call to abstain from work in the high court.

"We are abstaining from work in solidarity and in view of the attack on lawyers by policemen. An executive committee meeting will be held during the day in which the future course of action will be decided," he said.                

Similarly, lawyers at the six district courts in the national capital - Tis Hazari, Karkardooma, Saket, Dwarka, Rohini and Patiala House - are boycotting work throughout the day and the future course of action will be decided after meetings later in the day.

Advocate Dhir Singh Kasana, general secretary of Coordination Committee of All District Courts Bar Association in Delhi said complete boycott is being observed at Saket District court and the public is not allowed inside court premises.                

"We are not allowing any lawyer to go inside courtrooms. We are sitting at the gate and requesting all to participate," he said.                

"We will hold a meeting at 5 pm and decide the future course of action. We want the culprits to be arrested," said Kasana, who is also participating at the dharna to protest against the incident.                

Another lawyer Manish Bhadauria said lawyers have gathered at the gate of the Karkardooma district courts and all police officials have been removed from the premises.                

Advocate Rakesh Chahar, secretary of Rohini Bar Association, said lawyers at the Rohini District Courts complex are abstaining from work.