Ghaziabad: Lawyers go on strike over alleged beating of colleague by police

Lawyers of a Ghaziabad court went on a strike today over the alleged beating of their colleague by police following an argument between the advocate and an eatery owner.

Eatery owner Anil Mishra alleged that last night three customers, including lawyer Dal Chand Gautam, abused his staff, claiming that there was a delay in serving food. He alleged that they later thrashed him and he received a head injury.

An FIR was registered in connection with the matter, said Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Krishna.

However, bar sources said Gautam had actually called the police after the heated argument. They alleged that Gautam was taken to the Vijay Nagar police station where he was detained and thrashed.

On learning about the alleged thrashing of the lawyer, his colleagues went on a strike today.

After SP (City) Akash Tomar reached the court premises to maintain law and order, an argument broke out between the lawyers and the police personnel, bar secretary Viswash Tyagi said.

Tyagi alleged that the police dragged out the lawyers from their chambers and lathi-charged them.

However, Tomar dismissed the claims, saying that the lawyers pelted stones on the police team and thrashed some journalists, besides snatching their cameras.

SSP Krishna later said told that four policemen have been suspended and an inquiry ordered.

Additional Superintendent of Police Manisha Singh will investigate the case, he added.