Patiala lawyers observe 'no work day' over 'trespassing' by police

Ravneet Singh

Patiala, November 18

The Patiala District Bar Association (DBA) is observing a ‘no work day’ on Friday to protest against the alleged illegal search conducted by police at the chamber of a bar member on Thursday.

The cops allegedly took away a man — an accused in a case — from the chamber in the lawyer’s absence, they said.

Lawyer Himanshu Girdhar wrote to the Patiala DBA saying he was in the court on Thursday when he received a call from his client that some cops had forcibly entered his chamber and conducted a search.

He said the cops, without informing him, took away one Parminder Singh, who was at his chamber to sign documents. He said the whole scene was captured on a CCTV camera.

Meanwhile, lawyers said the police had trespassed the advocate’s chamber.

Patiala DBA joint secretary Aman Mathur said, “The executive body has taken the matter seriously. The president has assured the lawyer of our support and that we will demand strict action against the erring cops. The bar and the executive body stand resolutely behind its legal fraternity.”

The executive body of the DBA had unanimously decided to go on a complete ‘no work day’ on Friday, he added.

Sharing the CCTV footage, the joint secretary said, “We condemn the action by the police and want them to issue a written apology.”

Meanwhile, the Patiala police have suspended three cops accused in the matter.

Representatives of Patiala District Bar Association met SSP Varun Sharma on Friday.