Protests held in Mumbai City Civil and Sessions Court against attacks on lawyers

A peaceful protest was organized on Friday by approximately 200 to 300 advocates to denounce the ongoing attacks on lawyers, including the recent assault on advocate Prithaviraj Zhala, a member of the Borivali Bar Association, who was allegedly assaulted by an Assistant Police Inspector. .The advocates personally visited courts and requested judges not to pass adverse orders against litigants. Additionally, a signature campaign was held for the passing of the Advocates Protection Act, which saw many advocates sign the petition both offline and online..The protest was led by advocate Ravi Prakash Jadhav, President of All India Federation of Advocates & Associations (AIFAA), along with advocates Shyam Pathak, Prakash Tiwari, Pal, Kulkarni, Nilima Kasture, Geeta Anand, Singh, Jhaa, Bhosale, Asif Naqvi, Shaikh, Khan, Shahid Pathan, Ansari, as well as the secretary, vice president and committee members of AIFAA..The advocates gathered peacefully to voice their concerns and demand better protection for themselves and their colleagues in the legal profession..AIFFA on Thursday issued an urgent notice expressing concern over the assault and stated that as members of the legal profession, the group feels it is their responsibility to take a stand against such violence and show solidarity with their colleague.Therefore, in support of Jhala, AIFFA decided to protest against this brutality by abstaining from work on Friday, March 17, 2023."As members of the legal profession, it is our responsibility to take a stand against such acts of violence and stand in solidarity with our fellow advocates. In support of Mr. Jhala, the Adv Ravi Prakash Jadhav & team All India Federation of Advocates & Associations (AIFAA) has decided to protest against this brutality by abstaining from work today (Friday), i.e., on 17/03/2023. We demand immediate action against the said police officer and justice for our colleague," the notice said.The notice also expressed that the association was pleased to see that many other bar associations in Mumbai and Maharashtra had joined their cause and declared their support for the protest. The City Civil Court Bar Association, Andheri Bar Association, Girgaum Bar Association, Kalyan Bar Association, Mazgaon Bar Association, Dadar Bar Association, Kurla Bar Association, Vikhroli Bar Association, Bandra Bar Association, Ulhasnagar Bar Association, Esplanade/Killa Court Bar Association, and others have come forward to support the AIFAA in their efforts to demand justice..The association urged all advocates in Mumbai and Maharashtra to join the protests and send a strong message that violence against legal professionals will not be tolerated.