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Lawyers Raise Alarm After Alleged Attack on Bhattacharya’s Home
People said that attackers threw bottles at lawyer Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya’s home early Thursday.
The bottles reportedly broke windows, and the attackers allegedly shouted abuse.
A lawyers’ group said this was part of a series of attacks on lawyers.
It called for the people responsible to be found and punished.
The group also asked the state to create a law to protect lawyers.
Lawyers brought their concerns to the Calcutta High Court.
The Advocate General said police would take necessary action.
Kalyan Banerjee said lawyers were considering stopping work, but the Chief Justice said he would oppose that plan and urged lawyers to trust the courts.
Unidentified people allegedly threw bottles at Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya’s residence early Thursday, breaking window panes and abusing occupants.
The All India Lawyers Association for Justice linked the incident to other alleged attacks on lawyers in September and October.
The association called for arrests and punishment, action against officials it accused of enabling the attacks, and an Advocates’ Protection Act.
Lawyers raised the alleged attacks at the Calcutta High Court; the Advocate General said police would take necessary action.
Kalyan Banerjee said lawyers opposing the government were in a terrible situation and indicated a cease-work agitation was being considered; Chief Justice Rabindra V. Ghuge opposed such a move.
- Who
- Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, the All India Lawyers Association for Justice, and lawyers who raised concerns at the Calcutta High Court.
- What
- An alleged attack on Bhattacharya’s residence prompted lawyers to raise concerns about a series of attacks and seek action.
- Where
- Bhattacharya’s residence in Bengal; the concerns were raised at the Calcutta High Court.
- When
- The alleged attack happened early Thursday; the matter was raised in court on Thursday. The article does not give a date.
- Why
- Lawyers and their association said the attacks threatened lawyers’ safety and could discourage people from seeking court remedies.
Considering a cease-work agitation
Opposing a cease-work agitation
How lawyers should respond
Considering a cease-work agitation
Kalyan Banerjee said lawyers opposing the government were in a terrible situation and indicated they were considering a cease-work agitation.
Opposing a cease-work agitation
Chief Justice Rabindra V. Ghuge said he would ultimately oppose such a move and urged the legal fraternity to maintain faith in the judiciary.
Key facts
- Incident
- Unidentified miscreants allegedly hurled bottles at Bhattacharya’s residence, smashing window panes.
- Association response
- The All India Lawyers Association for Justice condemned the incident and warned of a threat to the rule of law in Bengal.
- Earlier incidents cited
- An alleged assault on Sayan Banerjee at Baruipur court on 22 September and an attack on Shamim Ahmed and others on 3 October.
- Association’s demands
- Identify and arrest those responsible, punish them, take action against implicated officials, and enact an Advocates’ Protection Act.
- Court response
- The Advocate General assured the court that police would take necessary action; the Chief Justice said the incidents should be properly investigated.
- Cease-work proposal
- Kalyan Banerjee indicated lawyers were considering a cease-work agitation; Chief Justice Rabindra V. Ghuge said he would oppose it.
Quotes
Kalyan Banerjee
Trinamul MP and senior advocate who raised concerns about attacks on lawyers in court.
“This is not a problem concerning lawyers alone. Goons from outside are attacking us. What are the police and intelligence agencies doing?”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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