Howrah Court Violence: Bar Council of West Bengal resolves to cease all work till April 29

As a mark of protest against the “atrocities of the police” at the Howrah Court on April 24, the Bar Council of West Bengal has resolved to cease all work till April 29..The Bar Council has also resolved to observe a Black Day throughout Bengal on April 26..The decision was taken by the Bar Council in its emergency meeting held today. The Bar Council has demanded the arrest of the accused police personnel who “brutally tortured/assaulted” advocates, judicial officers, staff, and clerks of the Howrah Court. Action is also sought against ransacking of the Bar library, several courtrooms, and shops at the Howrah Court..To address the issue, a delegation of the Bar Council will meet the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court on April 30 at 1.30 pm. A delegation will also visit the Howrah Court to condemn the atrocities..See Images below:.It has further been resolved that all Bar Associations of Bengal will wear black badges as a mark of protest..The alleged incident took place after an altercation over parking between an elderly lawyer and a guard of the Howrah Municipal Corporation on the morning of April 24, The Telegraph has reported..The Corporation’s compound is used as a free parking ground, a practice which the civic officials have been trying to stop. For the same, notices were also put up at all gates to make outsiders aware that only civic employees were allowed to park on the ground..Soon after, several lawyers gathered at the spot. While employees at the Corporation allege that a group of lawyers attacked them, the lawyers claim that the civic guard insulted their elderly colleague..The Telegraph has further reported that a number of civic employees allegedly attacked the lawyers with sticks and rods. The lawyers are said to have retaliated by pelting the civic staff with stones. Many two-wheelers parked on the HMC premises were damaged..After the police failed to contain the situation, the Rapid Action Force was also deployed. When tensions between the two groups flared again in the evening, police and RAF resorted to lathicharge. The incident left at least 20 injured. The police has initiated two cases based on a complaint and a counter-complaint, reports The Telegraph. .On April 24 itself, the Criminal Court Bar Library swung into action against the incident. It was unanimously resolved that no member of the Bar will take part in any judicial proceedings on and from April 25..Read the Resolutions by Bar Council of West Bengal and Criminal Court Bar Library :.Bar & Bench is available on WhatsApp. For real-time updates on stories, click here to subscribe to our WhatsApp.