The Saket Bar Association (SBA) has called for a complete abstention from work on July 19, 2025, to protest what it describes as the “biased and illegal registration of FIRs” against advocates by the Delhi Police. The strike will see lawyers refraining from both physical and virtual court proceedings, with the association accusing the police force of applying double standards when dealing with complaints involving lawyers.
The call for the strike was formalized through a circular issued by the Saket Bar Association. The primary grievance articulated by the lawyers’ body is the alleged discriminatory conduct of the Delhi Police. The SBA contends that the police are “hyperactive” and swift to register First Information Reports (FIRs) when lawyers are the accused parties.
Conversely, the association alleges that when advocates are the complainants, particularly in cases against police officials, the force becomes “conveniently slow” and reluctant to take action. This perceived prejudice in the handling of criminal complaints forms the crux of the protest.
In its official communication, the SBA has highlighted a pattern of conduct that, in its view, undermines the principles of fairness and equality before the law. The circular states that the police’s approach creates an environment where lawyers feel targeted and vulnerable to vindictive prosecution, while their own grievances are systematically ignored.
The association has directed its members to engage in a full-day strike. The circular clarifies the scope of the abstention: “Lawyers will boycott courts physically & virtually.”
Recognizing the potential impact on the public, the SBA has made a provision to mitigate hardship for litigants. The circular permits the appearance of proxy counsel in matters where it is deemed absolutely necessary to prevent adverse orders or to address urgent requirements, ensuring that the interests of clients are not entirely compromised during the protest.
