Lawyers union seeks action against mob which attacked scribes

The All India Lawyers Union (AILU) on Tuesday wrote to the Delhi High Court chief justice seeking action against errant police officials and a mob which obstructed judicial work and assaulted journalists on Monday.

AILU general secretary Som Dutt Sharma requested Chief Justice G. Rohini to take suo motu action against the mob to protect the rule of law which, he said, was under threat.

"The people who are identifiable as members of the mob and those who resorted to violence and obstruction to administration of justice have committed contempt of court and are required to be appropriately dealt with," Sharma said in the letter.

Citing media reports, the lawyers union said police stood like silent spectators and the police personnel present there abetted the attackers.

"As a result of the above incident, the remand proceedings of (JNU student leader) Kanhaiya Kumar could not be taken up in the open court at Patiala House on Monday," the union said.

"Police, by their acts and omissions, are guilty of dereliction of their duties. The commissioner of Delhi Police is required to discipline the police force under him and take appropriate action against the erring police officials."

The letter said that about 100 advocates on Monday gathered in front of the court of the metropolitan magistrate where the JNU student leader was scheduled to be presented.

The mob thrashed JNU faculty members and students who had come to attend the court proceedings.

The letter said the mob did not spare even the advocates who entered the court room to argue for the bail of another arrested person.

"The mob was so hysterical that they did not even spare journalists and the court staff," the letter said.

Even advocates present in the court room were assaulted, it added.

"The mob comprised lawyers identifiable in video footage and some outsiders. One MLA of the Bharatiya Janata Party, namely Om Prakash Sharma, was caught on camera thrashing members of the public.

"The above acts are tantamount to obstruction in administration of justice and violation of rule of law which are cornerstones of our Constitution," the letter said.