Delhi HC expresses anguish over lawyer-cop preserver-protector faceoff

Post the scuffle between the police and the lawyers at the Tis Hazari Court in Delhi, a hearing was held before Delhi High Court Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Hari Shankar on the Ministry of Home Affairs' review application over the court's November 3 order that barred any coercive action against any lawyer on the basis of FIRs lodged at the behest of police officials.

During the Delhi High Court hearing, the court also expressed its anguish over the behaviour of the cops and the lawyers against each other. In its ruling, the court stated, "Before parting with this order, we deem it appropriate to note, with a sense of anguish, that, in our democratic polity, the Bar and the Police establishment represent and constitute, as it were, the preserver, and the protector, of the rule of law. They are but two faces of the coin of justice, and it is essential, for the rule of law to prevail, that they work in close proximity and harmony. Any dissonance, or friction, between them, is deleterious to peace and harmony, and destructive of public interest, in the long run."

READ | Amid hoots & shouts, Delhi HC refuses media gag on Lawyers-Cops clash

Lawyers continue to protest

Lawyers continued to protest at various lower house courts in Delhi. Multiple visuals that have emerged from the court show the lawyers stopping the common people from entering the court premise. At Saket Court, barricades that have been placed near the entrance had been completely blocked by protesting lawyers, who are demanding action against the police officers involved in the Tis Hazri Court scuffle on Saturday. BCI chief Manan Mishra has slammed the two FIRs filed by the police against lawyers involved in the Saket Court incident, alleging misuse of power by the Delhi police.

READ | Delhi HC refuses media gag, orders probe without coercive restrictions

Police protests

On November 5, thousand of cops along with their families had gathered outside the Delhi police headquarters to protest against the lawyers who allegedly thrashed cops at the Tis Hazari Court on November 2. Demanding protection against such violence against cops, police officials called for a trial against the suspected lawyers and presented a set of demands to the Commissioner who has assured it will be met. The police later called off their protest.

READ | WATCH: CCTV footage of lawyers attacking police at Tis Hazari post

READ | WATCH: Cops protesting at Delhi Police HQ question lawyers' behaviour