New Delhi (Agency): The Uttar Pradesh Bar Council has called for the addition of a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge in the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing an alleged police lathi-charge against lawyers in Hapur. The announcement was made by the council’s chairman, Shiv Kumar Gaur.
The demand is aimed at ensuring an “impartial and comprehensive probe” into the incident, said Gaur. “We want the inclusion of a retired judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court as a judicial expert in the SIT,” he added. His remarks came after learning about the formation of an SIT from media reports. The Bar Council is set to meet on Sunday to discuss their next steps.
Special Director General (law and order) Prashant Kumar had previously announced that the SIT would be led by the Meerut Commissioner. The team would also include the Inspector General of Meerut and the Deputy Inspector General of Moradabad.
The alleged lathi-charge has prompted lawyers across Uttar Pradesh to boycott court work as a sign of protest. The incident occurred when lawyers were protesting against a case registered against a woman advocate and her father. The case came about after a confrontation between the woman lawyer and the police while she was driving to Ghaziabad.
In a related development, the police have registered an FIR against 17 lawyers and over 250 unidentified individuals for causing a “ruckus,” obstructing traffic, and violating prohibitory orders during the protest. Additional SP (Hapur) Mukesh Mishra confirmed that the FIR has been registered at the City police station in Hapur.
The council’s call for a judicial expert in the SIT reflects growing concerns over the impartiality of the investigation. Lawyers and citizens alike are keen to see a thorough and unbiased investigation into the matter. With legal professionals boycotting court activities, the impact of the incident has resonated beyond Hapur and raises significant questions about law enforcement tactics and the safeguarding of civil rights.