UPDATES ON TIS HAZARI COURT INCIDENT (23/05/14)

 

New Delhi, 28 June 2014

• On 22 May 2014, a girl from the Northeast was harassed and molested outside the metro station. An FIR was filed in this regard, and the case was taken to court the following day.
• The victim was accompanied by the President of the Naga Students’ Union, Delhi (NSUD), two of his colleagues, and a lawyer. As the accused was a lawyer from the same court, the atmosphere in the courtroom was highly tense.
• A group of advocates physically assaulted the NSUD President in front of the judge.
• A female advocate from the Northeast, who was assisting the victim, was assaulted and molested by a group of lawyers outside the court premises.
• The President of the Zeliangrong Students’ Union, Delhi (ZSUD), who was also accompanying the victim, was brutally beaten by the same group of advocates.
• On 26 May 2014, a delegation met the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court and submitted a formal representation.
• The delegation also met the President and Honorary Secretary of the Delhi High Court Bar Association and submitted a copy of the representation addressed to the Chief Justice.
• On 27 May 2014, a mass protest rally against the Tis Hazari Court lawyers who had assaulted Northeast leaders was organised at the Bar Council of India. Approximately 2,000 people from different Northeastern states and various civil organisations in Delhi participated.
• On 28 May 2014, the Bar Council of India wrote to the Delhi Bar Council, urging them to take action against the advocates involved.
• On 30 May 2014, details of all three victims and five witnesses were submitted to the police, along with their statements.
• On 2 June 2014, the case was brought to the attention of the Minister of State for Home Affairs, in the presence of two Joint Commissioners of Police from Delhi.
• On 4 June 2014, the Delhi High Court Bar Association wrote to the Delhi Police, urging urgent personal intervention to ensure that the guilty were held accountable and justice was served for the victims of the violent attack within the Tis Hazari Court premises.

Resolution by the Executive Committee of the Delhi High Court Bar Association:

• The incident has severely tarnished the reputation of the legal profession in the eyes of the public.
• The Committee believes that the allegations merit a fair and transparent inquiry, uninfluenced by the fact that the accused are lawyers.
• If the allegations are proven to be true, the strictest possible action should be taken.
• The Executive Committee demands severe punishment for those found guilty of committing this appalling crime.
• The Bar Council of Delhi and the Delhi Bar Association are urged to intervene immediately and take appropriate action after conducting necessary inquiries in accordance with the law.
• The Delhi Police is also called upon to conduct a fair and urgent investigation.
• The matter has been brought to the attention of the Secretary of the Ministry of Law, the National Commission for Women, Members of Parliament, police officials, senior advocates, activists, civil organisations, and other concerned authorities.
• On 26 June 2014, the victims and witnesses reviewed CCTV footage and successfully identified the two main culprits. Photographs of the two accused advocates, taken by a friend outside the court, were submitted, along with their names and other details obtained from reliable sources.
• Awaiting a response from the Bar Council of Delhi regarding strict action against the accused lawyers, including their suspension.
• The Delhi Police is investigating the case and preparing to file the charge sheet. A fair and prompt investigation is anticipated.

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal
Media Incharge
North East Support Centre & Helpline, Delhi

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