In a significant move reflecting solidarity within the legal community, the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) Bar Association of Allahabad has officially joined the protest led by the High Court Bar Association of Allahabad in response to a violent incident at the Raj Nagar District Court in Ghaziabad on October 29. This protest aims to condemn the brutal actions taken by police against protesting lawyers in the courtroom.
During an emergency meeting held in the Bar Room of the CESTAT, led by General Secretary Nishant Mishra, the association unanimously resolved to abstain from all judicial work on November 4, 2024. This decision aligns with the High Court Bar Association’s resolution from November 3, which strongly condemned the incident and called for a unified front against police brutality.
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The resolution stated as follows:
“An emergent meeting of the Executive Committee of the CESTAT BAR ASSOCIATION, ALLAHABAD, was held in the Bar Room, CESTAT, Kendriya Sadan, M.G. Marg, Civil Lines, Allahabad, under the chairmanship of its General Secretary Shri Nishant Mishra, Advocate, in view of the unfortunate incident occurring at Ghaziabad District Court and also considering the Resolution/ Publication dt. 03.11.2024 of the High Court Bar Association, Allahabad.
The meeting was attended by other members of the Executive Committee and Ld. Members of the Bar. It was thus unanimously resolved to support the resolution dt. 03.11.2024 of the High Court Bar Association, Allahabad, condemning the unfortunate incident occurred at Ghaziabad District Court and abstain from judicial work on 04.11.2024.
It has been further resolved that the Hon’ble Members shall be requested to not pass any adverse order on 04.11.2024.”
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The conflict began when a judge at the Ghaziabad court summoned the police in response to a heated argument with a group of lawyers. The situation escalated quickly, leading to a lathicharge by the police on the protesting lawyers, resulting in injuries and further chaos within the courtroom. Eyewitness reports indicate that several lawyers, outraged by the aggressive police response, set fire to a police booth within the court premises, highlighting the heightened tensions surrounding the incident.
The Uttar Pradesh Bar Council has called for a “Virodh Diwas” (Day of Protest) on November 4, urging all practising lawyers in the state to suspend work in solidarity. “All the practising lawyers in the courts in Uttar Pradesh will be abstaining from work,” stated Prashant Singh Atal, a member of the UP Bar Council. He added that this protest is not limited to Ghaziabad but extends to all 75 districts across the state.
In the wake of this incident, the Bar Council has established a five-member inquiry committee tasked with investigating the events that transpired. This committee is expected to visit the Ghaziabad court and engage with key stakeholders, including district judges and affected lawyers.
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Meanwhile, sources have confirmed that a petition has been filed with the Allahabad High Court, seeking a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the matter and preservation of CCTV footage related to the incident.
Former Supreme Court Bar Association Secretary Rohit Pandey condemned the actions taken by the police, emphasising the need for accountability and a thorough investigation into the judge’s conduct. He remarked, “There is a difference between removing people from a court and starting a lathicharge. Even if there was provocation, the police must maintain law and order and not escalate the situation.”
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