Prayagraj 'Police Assault' On Lawyers | Allahabad HCBA Moves High Court Seeking FIR, Departmental Action Against Erring Cops
The Allahabad High Court Bar Association, led by its president, Senior Advocate Anil Tiwari, has moved the High Court demanding the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against the police officials involved in 'assaulting' lawyers in Prayagraj on February 4 and seeking departmental action against the erring cops. The matter came to be listed before the HC as a Criminal Writ...
The Allahabad High Court Bar Association, led by its president, Senior Advocate Anil Tiwari, has moved the High Court demanding the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against the police officials involved in 'assaulting' lawyers in Prayagraj on February 4 and seeking departmental action against the erring cops.
The matter came to be listed before the HC as a Criminal Writ Public Interest Litigation after the Association president wrote a letter addressed to Chief Justice Arun Bhansali seeking various relief pertaining to the alleged incident.
In its letter, the Bar Association stated that on February 4, 2025, the police officials prevented advocates from reaching the court due to a Chief Minister's program. Despite the advocates referring to a prior order (dated January 13, 2025) that directed their access to the High Court, the police refused, citing orders from their superiors. When the advocates protested, the police officials abused and assaulted them.
“When the advocates were stopped from going to the court, a large number of them gathered and began protesting against the administration. In response, the advocates were abused, insulted, and severely beaten by the police administration. The bands, clothes, and files of the advocates were torn, which escalated the situation further. This incident has caused significant anger among the advocates,” the letter states.
In the letter, the Bar Association has prayed for the following relief:
- Departmental action and appropriate legal action against all the policemen found guilty in the incident.
- Lodging of a First Information Report (FIR) against all the guilty policemen.
- Identify all the policemen involved in this incident and immediately relieve them from duty.
- Issue appropriate instructions to the Director General of Police to ensure that no police personnel engage in such incidents against any advocate.
The matter will be heard today by a bench of Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Prashant Kumar.
It may be noted that a purported video of the alleged incident is doing rounds on social media, where it could be seen that several policemen are assaulting the advocates. Pursuant to the incident, the police administration has suspended a policeman.