Save The Khaki ?

For last few days there was issue between Delhi Police and Lawyers, and yesterday it took an unprecedented turn when thousands of policemen gathered outside office of Delhi Police Commissioner and protested. This scene indirectly reminded me a scene from Bollywood movie called Singham 2, where it was also shown the policemen came to roads in protest. Now what was the actual issue

Actually a small issue turned into a big one. On last Saturday (2^nd Nov), a Police van which brings criminals to court for hearing, was parked in the Tis Hazari court parking area, and some lawyer parked the car in front of the police van. After this there was confrontation between lawyers and Policemen which turned violent  and in the end police had to fire few shots to control the protesting lawyers, which resulted in injuring few lawyer. Police officers claimed that some of their junior colleagues  were beaten by rowdy lawyers.

On Monday the 4^th Nov, the lawyers struck work in Delhi courts, and its affect was visible in High Court, Tis Hazari Court and Saket Court. The lawyers came on the roads, and protested against police in front of many courts. The incidents of violent confrontation with police and media were reported. At the end of the day Lawyers Association called for indefinite strike, although there is SC ruling that the no Bar Association can strike for more than 1 day.

Yesterday this dispute took another turn, when thousands of Policemen gathered in front of Delhi Police Head Quarter with placards SAVE THE KHAKI. What was their demand

-call back the police security cover of all judges.

-cases must be registered against all the lawyers who attacked  policemen.

-Remove  security cover in all the courts.

-Traffic police should not show leniency towards lawyers.

-Entry of all Lawyers and their staff should be banned in all police stations.

-There should be protection act for Police officers and police staff.

The protesting policemen were demanding that police Chief Amulya Patnaik make an appearance and listen to their grievances. In the earlier stages of the protest 2 DCPs and 2 special CPs addressed the protestors but they refused to budge. Then after some to Amulya Patnaik steps out and asked the protesting policemen to return to work. He was booed by protestors, and he returns to his office. Later in the afternoon Jt CP Srivastava addresses protesting policemen, but he was also forced to go back. The protest continues, and in the mean time the family members of the protesting policemen also join the protest.

Late in the evening around 7.45 pm protest was called off following news that Delhi LG has conceded several demands including filing of review petition in Delhi HC ruling in Tis Hazari court matter and Rs 25,000 compensation to policemen injured in clashes with the lawyers.

Earlier in the day, police had filed a case on complaint of Constable Karan, who was thrashed by Lawyer in Saket Court area.

It was really shocking that two pillars of law and order machinery go at each other’s throat in this fashion. At least 20 policemen and eight lawyers were injured and 20 vehicles were vandalised in Tis Hazari court. Plus the lawyer accused the police of firing shots and injuring few of their colleagues, this saw the Delhi HC order suspension and transfer of police officers. After this incidence, lawyers took to protest and reports of their thrashing of bystanders and policemen at various places in Delhi. The police and lawyers have to work side by side and both have an independent relationship, the justice can only prevail when each group performs its defined function. But if either tries to become law by itself, instead of upholding the law then there is bound to collapse of the system. In these type of protests, it is the common man who really suffers. So neither policemen have right to freely manhandle lawyers or any other citizen, nor can lawyer have right to thrash policemen or bystanders.

What you say my friends

Awaiting your views/feed backs/comments.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

6^th Nov 2019