Indian chief justice asks authorities to release lawyers detained over CJP protest
Bar association seeks probe into alleged police excesses against advocates.
India's Chief Justice has reportedly communicated to authorities that lawyers detained during protests against the Election Commission should be released, following an appeal from the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) over alleged excessive force by Delhi Police and central security forces.
The SCBA urged the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to intervene urgently, expressing concern over the detention of senior and junior advocates, including women lawyers, who had gathered near the Supreme Court to protest ahead of the planned demonstration by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).
In a statement today (10 October), the association called for authorities to establish the whereabouts and safety of all detained advocates, ensure they have access to legal assistance and release those against whom there are no lawful grounds for detention.
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It also demanded an examination of the circumstances surrounding the detentions and the reported use of force, followed by appropriate legal action.
Several lawyers were detained by Delhi Police today while marching from the Supreme Court towards Jantar Mantar, where the CJP had planned a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The advocates, dressed in formal suits, carried posters and chanted slogans before police stopped them at barricades on Bhagwan Das Road near the Supreme Court.
The detentions took place amid heightened security across the capital. Around 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed, while entry and exit restrictions remained in force at 45 Metro stations.
Authorities also stepped up surveillance at Delhi's borders, railway stations, bus terminals and other sensitive locations.
The association said peaceful protests by lawyers should not be met with excessive force and called for immediate steps to protect the rights and safety of those detained.
"The Supreme Court Bar Association resolves to request the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India to intervene urgently and take up the matter with the concerned authorities so that the whereabouts and safety of every detained advocate are ascertained, they are given access to legal assistance, and those against whom there are no lawful grounds for detention are released immediately," the statement said.
The association also called for the circumstances of the detentions and the reported use of force to be examined, with appropriate action taken in accordance with the law.
Delhi Police denied permission for the CJP's planned demonstration, citing inadequate advance notice and alleged non-compliance with conditions imposed during an earlier protest.
The party has demanded Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Earlier today, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained inside an aircraft shortly after it landed in Delhi.
Around 1,500 people have been detained so far in connection with the planned protest.
