The Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) has called upon a meeting of all bar associations in the national capital on May 4 on the issue of security lapses and other related matters.
“Lawyers should cooperate in frisking as the whole purpose of the process is their own security and that of litigants. Frisking of vehicles should also be done properly,” said, KK Manan, general secretary of BCD.
“It is highly disturbing to see that a weapon was sneaked into the court premises. Security arrangements like the one at the SC can be implemented in the lower courts to ensure safety and security of lawyers as well as litigants” added Manan.
Members of other associations, including New Delhi Bar Association (NDBA) and Saket Court Bar Association, also condemned the act and said it revealed a serious security lapse.
“I strongly condemn the incident that took place at the Saket court. Advocates have been passing through a vulnerable time, taking advocates into consideration their professional compulsions. It has become necessary to bring in an advocates protection act and we shall not leave any stone unturned to get it implemented,” said advocate Rahul Singh, vice-president of NDBA and vice-chairman of the coordination committee of All District Bar Associations of Delhi.
On April 1, Virendra Narwal, advocate, who practised in the Dwarka court, was shot dead by two assailants in Dwarka. As per the police, the case points towards personal enmity. The investigation is still on. Narwal was provided security cover after an attack on him in 2017, which was withdrawn in 2021.
After the incident, the BCD had firmed a special committee to draft a comprehensive advocates protection act.