Published 16:11 IST, November 6th 2019
Delhi HC refuses media gag, orders probe without coercive restrictions
Delhi High Court on Wednesday, ordered the judicial probe to be completed without the earlier order restricting coercive action against lawyers impacting probe
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While lawyers continue to protest against the Delhi police, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday, ordered the judicial probe to be completed without the earlier order restricting coercive action against lawyers impacting the probe, in response to the MHA plea. Apart from this order, the Delhi HC also turned down the lawyers' plea - refusing to ban media from reporting on the issue. The court explained that Sunday's order are only observations and that it was a matter of investigation.
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Delhi HC scraps previous order; orders inquiry
The Delhi Court has ordered the inquiry commission which was probing into the Tis Hazari scuffle to look into instances of violence that have broken out after the incident. Lawyers are also currently protesting outside the Delhi High Court, demanding action against police officers involved in the incident. The Delhi High Court has pronounced the above order after the Ministry of Home Affairs submitted a plea seeking clarification of the court's earlier order restricting coercive action.
Meanwhile, inside the courtroom, sources report that high drama was witnessed with lawyers shouting and hooting as the plea was being heard. The lawyers have claimed that the media was creating an atmosphere portraying that the lawyers were wrong, demanding a media gag on reporting on the issue. The lawyers also demanded immediate action against police officials who had allegedly fired at a lawyer during the scuffle on Saturday.
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Lawyers continue to protest
This development comes as hundreds of lawyers continue to protest outside various lower courts in Delhi, inspite the Bar Council of India urging to return to work. Visuals show the lawyers barring entry of litigants wishing to enter the court. At Saket Court, barricades that have been placed near the entrance have been completely blocked by protesting lawyers, who are demanding action against the police officers involved in the Tis Hazri Court scuffle on Saturday. BCI chief Manan Mishra has slammed the two FIRs filed by the police against lawyers involved in the Saket Court incident, alleging misuse of power by the Delhi police.
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Lawyer-Police protests
Earlier on Tuesday, thousands of police personnel gathered outside the Delhi police headquarters against the lawyers who allegedly beat up police officers at the Tis Hazari Court on November 2. Demanding for protection against such violence against cops, Police officials demanding a trial against the suspected lawyers and presented a set of demands to the Commissioner who has assured it will be met. The police have called off their protest now. Meanwhile, lawyers in the Delhi High Court and all district courts abstained from work on Monday, protesting against Delhi police, demanding the arrest of the involved Delhi police official.
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Delhi HC bars 'coercive action', MHA steps in
Previously on Sunday, the Delhi High Court took suo-moto cognisance of the case and ordered a judicial probe, transferred two senior police officers, suspended two others and ordered compensation for three injured lawyers. It also directed that no coercive action would be taken against any lawyer on the basis of FIRs lodged at the behest of police officials. Two FIRs have been filed in the case on Tuesday after which the Ministry of Home Affairs sought a clarification of the order from the Delhi HC and the Delhi lieutenant-governor has been tasked with diffusing the situation.
15:55 IST, November 6th 2019