FIR against Sirsa lawyer sparks protests

A legal and administrative clash in Sirsa district has triggered a wave of protests by the legal fraternity after an FIR was lodged against an advocate, Amit Sihag, for allegedly assaulting a Junior Engineer (JE) from the District Town Planning (DTP) Department.

The dispute began on July 29, when the JE visited Sihag’s property near NH-9 to serve a notice regarding alleged unauthorised construction. According to Sihag, the official entered the property in his absence by scaling a boundary wall, prompting him to alert the police, suspecting a trespasser. The police took the JE to Ding police station, and Sihag submitted a written complaint. However, the following day, an FIR was registered against Sihag and two others under Sections 121(1), 132, and 221 of the BNS, accusing them of assaulting the JE and obstructing government work.

In protest, the District Bar Association of Sirsa observed a strike on Tuesday and later announced an indefinite boycott of court proceedings. Bar associations from Ellenabad, Dabwali, Rania, Kalanwali, and Chopta also joined the protest.

Ganga Ram Dhaka, president of the Sirsa Bar Association, condemned the FIR, stating that the JE trespassed without permission and claimed that the land in question lay outside the DTP’s notified limits. “Rather than acting on Sihag’s complaint, the police registered a case against him. This is unacceptable,” Dhaka said, demanding the FIR be cancelled and action be taken against the JE.

DTP officer Karamveer Singh, however, defended the department’s actions. He said the area was declared an Additional Controlled Area on March 28, 2025, and Sihag had initiated construction without obtaining a change of land use (CLU) approval. “Notices were served verbally and in writing. The JE went to paste the notice on-site as per Supreme Court guidelines, but was assaulted and the notice torn up,” Singh alleged.

He further accused the Bar association of attempting to pressure the department through strikes. “Lawyers should be the first to respect the law,” he said, confirming that the JE had given a written statement to the police.

Singh also said that the construction in question was under court stay and departmental action would resume once the stay was lifted. Multiple properties along NH-9 had received similar notices, and any construction without proper CLU would face action.

Responding to the allegations, Sihag said, “I’ve followed due legal process. If the department finds violations, it can proceed lawfully, but entering my property without notice, and then booking me in false cases is an abuse of power,” he said.