New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant reacted to a plea by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and directed authorities to release lawyers detained in Delhi on Saturday during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
The lawyers, including a large number of women, were protesting within the Supreme Court premises when they were detained by the police.
The SCBA sought the CJI’s intervention, claiming the use of “excessive force” and detention of advocates, particularly women lawyers, who were protesting peacefully.
“The Supreme Court Bar Association resolves to request the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India to intervene urgently and take up the matter with the concerned authorities so that the whereabouts and safety of every detained advocate are ascertained, they are given access to legal assistance, and those against whom there are no lawful grounds for detention are released immediately,” a statement issued by the SCBA said.
The protesting lawyers were taken to the Yamuna Sports Complex after their detention. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta is also known to have intervened in the matter and sought their release, as reported by Live Law.
The Lawyers’ Association for Constitution (LAFC), on Saturday, condemned the detention of senior and young advocates, including women lawyers.
In the press release, the association urged the CJI to intervene with the concerned authorities to secure the safety and liberty of the detained advocates.
“Lawyers do not lose their constitutional freedoms when they speak in defence of democratic institutions. Any restriction upon a peaceful assembly must have a clear legal basis and must remain necessary, proportionate and respectful of human dignity,” the press release said.
Detaining advocates without promptly informing them of the grounds and place of detention, or providing access to legal assistance, undermines “basic constitutional and statutory safeguards”, the association said, as reported by The Indian Express.