Published 12:53 IST, November 3rd 2019
Tis Hazari: Police officials, lawyers file FIRs against each other
Delhi police officers and lawyers have registered FIRs against each other over the dramatic scuffle that broke out at Tis Hazari Court Complex on Saturday
After dramatic clashes which broke out between Delhi Police officers and lawyers in the city's Tis Hazari Court Complex on Saturday, the two parties have registered FIRs against each other. In a statement, Delhi Police said that it has registered a case under Sections 186 (Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 427 (Mischief causing damage to the amount of Rs 50), 307 (Attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) on the basis of cross FIRs lodged by the two parties. The statement also said that a Special Investigation Team of the Crime Branch will be taking over the case. The police officer, who fired during the clash, is still hospitalised and his statement will be recorded when he is fit to know the exact sequence of firing, the police said.
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. 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. The clashes was only over parking, between jawans of 3rd Battalion and lawyers.
Delhi HC's close watch
Delhi High Court Chief Justice DN Patel held an over five-hour-long meeting with senior judges on Saturday regarding the clash between lawyers and police at the Tis Hazari court. After receiving news of the clash, the chief justice convened a meeting with the seven senior-most judges of the court to deliberate on the issue, high court Registrar General Dinesh Kumar Sharma said. According to Sharma, the chief justice has taken a "very serious view" of the matter and the high court was "deeply concerned about the safety of litigants and lawyers".
Lawyers beat up a journalist
A journalist was also hit by lawyers at Tis Hazari Court. The incident occurred while the journalist was covering the scuffle between lawyers and Delhi Police, reports state. The journalists present at the spot was being stopped by the lawyers from covering the incident and their mobile phones were being snatched.
(With ANI inputs)
Updated 14:48 IST, November 3rd 2019