Advocates block Ajnala Road

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 12

Agitated over the failure of the police in arresting the culprits allegedly involved in thrashing of a lawyer, Amit Sharma, at a marriage resort, the members of the Amritsar Bar Association held a demonstration outside the court complex here today. They also blocked the traffic on the Ajnala link road.

The traffic remained suspended on the road for around one hour. The dharna was lifted after ADCP (special) HS Brar gave assurance to protesting lawyers for arresting culprits by Monday.

Later, the association passed a resolution and decided to observe December 15 as “No work day” in case the police failed to nab the accused persons by Monday. They also threatened to launch agitation all over Punjab by giving a call of “No work day” on December 16 by all Bar associations in the state.

Amit was allegedly assaulted by several persons during a marriage function on December 3. The police had booked 12 persons in this connection. Yesterday, the advocates had held demonstration outside the office of the Police Commissioner while demanding the immediate arrest of the culprits. The police authorities had sought the time till last evening. However, it has failed to arrest the culprits so far.

The opposite group had, however, charged the advocates for misbehaving and passing objectionable remarks against women in the marriage function, which had led to the incident. Meanwhile, Amit Sharma has moved an application in the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate urging him to direct the Station House Officer (SHO) of Sadar police station to produce a status report in the case. The court has directed the SHO to file the status report by Monday.

Vavinder Mahajan, SHO, Sadar police station, said the probe was almost complete and he would submit its report by tomorrow.