Co-author – Trisha Parashar
According to NDTV, two unidentified bike-borne attackers shot and killed an advocate on Saturday in the Dwarka district of the national capital.
The coordination committee of all district bar organisations in Delhi agreed to forgo even bail and stay proceedings, the New Delhi Bar Association stated to its members in a letter. The courts’ photocopy devices will also be off limits.
Virender Kumar, a resident of Sector 12, Dwarka, was shot and killed by the bike-borne perpetrators while he was inside an Ertiga vehicle at around 12 o’clock.
According to reports, the police have verified that Narwal was killed in response to a personal grudge against Pradeep, who was killed by Pradeep’s grandfather in 1987.
Also, there were issues of land dispute among them which eventually led to his killing.
Lawyers felt infuriated by the heinous murder that occurred in broad daylight and condemned it as an assault on the entire Delhi legal community.
Threats and aggressive crimes have been mounting, according to a statement from the North Delhi Lawyers Association (NDLA). However, none of the attorneys—not even their families, who are in a “vulnerable situation”—have received any form of protection. We depend heavily on the legal system as a society to make sure that justice is done and that our rights are upheld. We frequently overlook the fact that the attorneys who defend us in court confront serious threats to their personal safety and security. It’s past time to take care of this problem and give the safety of advocates the utmost importance by enacting an Advocate safety Act. People who are dissatisfied with the results of cases or who want to intimidate an advocate into dropping a case frequently attack advocates. Physical harm, threats, and harassment may result from this, which could have a chilling impact on the legal system as a whole. Without security, advocates might be reluctant to take on cases, depriving people of legal counsel and weakening the justice system.
An Advocate Protection Act would provide advocates with the necessary security measures to ensure their safety. This could include the provision of security personnel, panic buttons in courtrooms, and the establishment of a national registry to track threats against advocates. Additionally, the act could also make it a criminal offense to threaten or harm an advocate, sending a strong message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.
The implementation of an Advocate Protection Act is crucial to ensuring that the legal system is able to function effectively and advocates are able to carry out their duties without fear of harm or intimidation. It is time for the government to take action and prioritize the safety and security of those who work tirelessly to ensure justice is served.
There have been numerous instances where advocates have been threatened, harassed, or physically attacked by individuals who are unhappy with the outcomes of cases or seek to intimidate them into dropping a case. These incidents not only put the advocates themselves at risk but also have a chilling effect on the entire legal system. Without adequate security measures, advocates may be hesitant to take on cases, leaving individuals without legal representation and the justice system weakened.
To prioritize the security of advocates, it is important to implement measures such as providing security personnel, panic buttons in courtrooms, and establishing a national registry to track threats against advocates. Additionally, there should be stricter laws and penalties for those who threaten or harm advocates to send a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated.
It is the responsibility of the government and legal institutions to ensure that advocates are able to carry out their duties without fear of harm or intimidation. By prioritizing the security of advocates, we can ensure that justice is served and the rights of individuals are protected in our society.