Lawyers strike illegal, says 7-judge HC bench

ALLAHABAD: A seven-judge bench of the Allahabad high court on Thursday directed the state government to file its reply on the demand for a judicial inquiry into the recent lathicharge on the advocates in Lucknow.

The court also declared the strike of Lucknow bench lawyers as illegal and directed them to withdraw the agitation.

The seven-judge bench, presided over by chief justice DY Chandrachud, directed that no one will be permitted to interfere with the court’s functioning from Friday. The bench said that the demand for judicial inquiry by the secretary of the Oudh Bar Association would be considered on the next date of the hearing on February 23.

While passing a detailed order, the bench asked the lawyers to maintain the dignity of the court as well as their noble profession.

During the hearing of the case, principal secretary (home) submitted a report in connection with the incident.

The bench was constituted by the chief justice after taking note of the incident in which protest of lawyers against the murder of their colleague Shravan Kumar Verma turned violent and dozens of people were injured and nearly a hundred vehicles were torched or damaged in Lucknow on February 10.

On earlier date, the court had issued notices to the Bar Council of UP and Oudh Bar Association, Lucknow, and banned the entry of advocate Vishal Dixit in any court of the state. Dixit’s photograph had appeared in newspapers wherein he was seen brandishing a revolver during the violence.

Meanwhile, senior vice president of OBA GC Verma said that the lawyers of Oudh Bar Association (OBA) would resume work from February 19.

Verma said the matter was heard by seven judges bench headed by chief justice DY Chandrachud at Allahabad. On behalf of the OBA, its general secretary RD Shahi appeared along with other counsel.

"We have given a statement before the said bench that the lawyers of OBA will resume work from February 19," Verma said.