The Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) has condemned the detention of several lawyers and the alleged excessive use of force by police during a peaceful protest held on October 10 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

In a resolution dated October 10, the Bar Association expressed its strong disapproval of what it described as the “excessive and disproportionate use of force” against protesting lawyers, including women advocates.

The resolution stated that video footage of the incident showed lawyers, including Senior Advocates, being physically dragged by the police.

“Such high-handed and undignified treatment of members of the legal fraternity is wholly reprehensible and constitutes a grave affront to their dignity and constitutional rights,” the resolution states.

Emphasising the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and dissent, the DHCBA stated that the maintenance of public order cannot be used as a pretext for arbitrary detention or excessive force against peaceful protesters.

“The right to peacefully assemble and express dissent is a fundamental constitutional guarantee,” the resolution stated.

The Bar Association also expressed concern over reported incidents of police personnel tearing the Preamble of the Constitution of India, stating that such an act strikes at the ideals and values upon which the Republic is founded.

Calling for accountability, the DHCBA urged the concerned authorities to conduct an impartial inquiry into the incident, fix responsibility for the alleged unlawful and excessive use of force, and take appropriate action against those responsible.

It further stated that such incidents are incompatible with the rule of law and must not be allowed to recur.

The resolution was signed by DHCBA President and Senior Advocate N Hariharan and Honorary Secretary Vikram Singh Panwar.