Don's threat to lawyer; HC seeks reply from MHA, Delhi police

The Delhi High Court today took note of alleged threat call and SMSes of underworld don Ravi Pujari to a lawyer who has been defending terror suspects, including Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal, and asked the city police to file a report in the case.
Justice Veena Birbal also issued notices to Delhi government and Union Home Ministry on the plea of M S Khan, a Delhi-based lawyer who has moved the high court after being asked by the apex court recently.
"Let the police file the status report. List it on March 6," the court said after the lawyer for Khan sought an early hearing of the plea saying the threat was against fundamental right to personal life and liberty of the person who is also a respected member of the bar.

The apex court, while disposing of the plea on February 14, had said, "in our opinion, the petitioner (Khan) should approach the High Court so that if a case is made out, the High Court can give some immediate relief to the petitioner. If such an application is filed, we request the High Court to consider it expeditiously."
The counsel for Khan alleged the threat call, which emanated from Australia, has been routed through Iran as has been the case with some Bollywood celebrities who also received similar threats from Pujari.
"Issue an appropriate writ, order or directions or directing Respondents ... To investigate the matter on the complaints ...And ensure safety and security of the petitioner and his family," the plea said.

The petition also sought a direction to police and the Home Ministry to take steps "necessary for the smooth functioning of professional activities by the petitioner being an advocate and to exercise his right to life and liberty."
Khan, who is handling 50-terror related cases besides defending top Laskhar-e-Toiba (LeT) bomb expert Abdul Karim Tunda and extradited gangster Abu Salem, had received a call on January 16 from a person who identified himself as Ravi Pujari.