Tis Hazari: Delhi HC takes suo moto cognizance

The Delhi High Court on Sunday took suo moto cognizance of a violent clash between police and lawyers that broke out over a parking dispute inside Tis Hazari Court Complex on Saturday. The court issued notices to the Centre, Bar Council of India, Delhi High Court Bar Association, Bar Council of Delhi, all bar associations of district courts, and the Delhi government in the case. The Delhi Police was represented by Standing Counsel Rahul Mehra. The police received directions from the court to ensure all responsible cops in the case be present during the hearing which will take place later on Sunday.

READ | Tis Hazari: Police Officials, Lawyers File FIRs Against Each Other

Meetings held

The matter was taken up by Delhi High Court Chief Justice DN Patel after holding a closed-door meeting with Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik, District Judge of Tis Hazari Court and judges of the administrative committee. DN Patel had held an over five-hour-long meeting with seven senior-most judges of the court on Saturday. The meeting was also attended by the joint commissioner of police, New Delhi deputy commissioner of police and Delhi additional chief secretary.

READ | Lawyers, Cops Clash Outside Tis Hazari Court; Police Car Set Ablaze

Cops, lawyers book each other

A total of four FIRs including cross FIRs from lawyers and the police have been registered in the case. The third FIR has been registered by a lady lawyer against police for misbehaving and inappropriate gestures. The District Judge has also registered an FIR over-all chaos and clash, the police said.

READ | Delhi HC Holds Meeting On Lawyers-police Clash

Violence and aftermath

Around 20 cops including Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Harender Singh and two Station House Officers (SHOs) and eight lawyers sustained injuries in the scuffle. Meanwhile, Bar Council of Delhi has decided to grant Rs 2 lakh each to two lawyers who are currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Rs 50,000 to the lawyers who sustained injuries in the clash. In the wake of the clash, the Bar Council of India has called for a lawyers' strike across district courts in Delhi on Monday. The clashes were only over parking, between jawans of 3rd Battalion and lawyers.

(With ANI inputs)

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