The Karnataka High Court has initiated suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) proceedings over incidents of violence against lawyers across the state, including Bengaluru, and called upon the state government to consider stronger legislative and administrative measures to ensure their safety.
A Division Bench of Justices D K Singh and H Shanthi Bhushan directed the Registry to register the PIL and asked the Karnataka government to submit existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and instructions concerning the issues raised by the Court.
The proceedings followed representations by the Advocates Association, Bengaluru, and the Karnataka State Bar Council, which highlighted two recent murders of lawyers and sought judicial intervention to ensure their safety while performing professional duties.
The Bench emphasised that lawyers must be able to represent their clients without fearing violence or intimidation. It observed that attacks on advocates, particularly those resulting in death, have implications beyond individual incidents because they affect the independence of the Bar and the administration of justice.
The Court also clarified that providing security to advocates was not about granting special privileges to a professional group but ensuring that those assisting courts could perform their responsibilities without threats or insecurity.
Police Stations Cannot Function as Civil Courts
Addressing concerns raised by the Advocates Association, the High Court said police stations must not assume the role of courts by attempting to adjudicate civil disputes.
The Association had alleged that police officers were, in several instances, intervening in disputes between private parties and attempting to settle them at police stations.
The Bench observed that matters involving property rights, possession, contractual obligations and other civil claims could not be adjudicated at police stations.
It directed the state government and police department to ensure that all police stations receive specific instructions against entertaining or settling civil disputes unless the allegations disclose a criminal offence requiring action under the law.
The Court further suggested that the government examine possible legislative and administrative steps to strengthen the existing statutory framework for the protection and welfare of advocates, along with mechanisms to ensure effective implementation.
Lawyers Abstain From Work Across Karnataka
The Advocates Association informed the Court that its General Body Meeting on October 29 had adopted a resolution protesting inadequate security for lawyers and demanding stronger legal protections.
Following the resolution, advocates across Karnataka abstained from work on Tuesday.
The Association and the Karnataka State Bar Council urged the High Court to take cognisance of the recent attacks and initiate proceedings to address the security concerns facing members of the legal profession.
Recent Murders and Assault Raise Security Concerns
Among the incidents brought to the Court’s attention was the killing of advocate Manjunath in Bengaluru’s Whitefield area on October 18.
Manjunath was allegedly shot dead at his residence in Pattandur Agrahara around 11.45 pm. Police suspected that the killing arose from a dispute over unpaid rent involving two tenants from Bihar who had reportedly occupied a room on his property for approximately one-and-a-half years.
According to police, the tenants had not paid rent for three months, leading to an argument when Manjunath demanded payment.
The suspects allegedly returned later that night, claiming they had brought the outstanding rent. While Manjunath was counting the money, one of them allegedly shot him at close range. Both suspects subsequently fled.
Another incident involved advocate Sri Ram, who was allegedly killed following an auto-rickshaw fare dispute on October 9.
Sri Ram, a resident of Kengunte near Nagarbhavi, was found unconscious on Outer Ring Road. Police personnel on patrol took him to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The Annapoorneshwarinagar police said the postmortem examination established that he had died following an assault. Police arrested auto-rickshaw driver Prithviraj, 31, a resident of Gollarahatti, in connection with the incident.
In a separate attack on October 28, Senior Advocate Venkatramana Sannakki was stabbed in Chikkabalapur district.
Police registered a case of attempted murder and launched an investigation to trace the suspect.
The High Court’s suo motu proceedings will examine the concerns surrounding lawyers’ security, the existing protective framework and the measures required from the state government and police authorities.
