Srinagar: The Lawyers Forum for Democracy and Justice and Indian association of peoples lawyers have condemned the ‘obstruction’ by lawyers in filing the chalan in Asifa rape and murder case and have called it a ‘shameful blot on the legal community’ while appealing legal bodies to take action against the lawyers involved in it, according to a report by livelaw.in
“We condemn the obstruction of the filing of charge sheet in the said matter as inhuman, illegal, unethical and shameful. We hope that better sense will prevail and the legal community facilitates justice rather than obstructing functioning of the criminal justice system,” Lawyers Forum for Democracy and Justices’ press release said as quoted by livelaw.
The release according to livelaw.in called the obstruction a ‘shameful blot on the legal community’ and requested the bar council of Jammu and Kashmir and bar council of India to take appropriate disciplinary action against the erring advocates.
“ It has further requested the high court of J and K and the Supreme court to transfer the trial to another state,” livelaw said.
India association of peoples lawyers also issued a press release condemning the lawyers action
“We at IAPL strongly condemn the communal propaganda of the right wing organization and the lawyers who are obstructing justice, instead of upholding the due process of law. We believe that all people should have access to the courts without intimidation or fear, however, these incidents where lawyers are involved in intimidation and assault, do not inspire confidence amongst the general public. Such actionas are likely to influence or hinder the application of principles of natural justice’, livelaw quoted the press release.
They have asked Kathua Bar Association to stop interfering in the investigation so that a free and fair investigation0 is ensured.
Lawyers of Kathua Bar Association on Monday had tried to block state police and Crime branch from filing charge sheet against the accused in court. It took six hours for law enforcement agencies to convince the CJM to accept it, only after states law minister got involved.
Lawyers body called for a Jammu bandh too which evoked a mixed response on Wednesday. during which two yatris were injured after lawyers attacked the bus with lathis and smashed windows. They had vandalised a sweet shop as well.
