The Delhi High Court has scheduled a hearing for November 6 on a plea seeking action against suspended Delhi Police Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manasvi Vashishta and other police officials over allegations of threatening remarks directed at advocates.
A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma agreed to take up the matter after a group of lawyers sought urgent listing on Wednesday.
The lawyers had initially requested the High Court to initiate suo motu proceedings over the alleged threats. However, the Bench declined to take cognisance on its own and instructed them to submit a formal petition supported by the available material.
During an earlier mention on Tuesday, the advocates alleged that expressions referring to the use of an AK-47 and describing lawyers as kale coat ke gunde, meaning goons in black coats, had been used against members of the legal profession.
Protest Against Police Transfers
The latest developments followed a demonstration outside the Delhi Police headquarters on Monday, where Vashishta and several police personnel protested against the transfer of officers in connection with an earlier confrontation involving advocates.
Remarks concerning lawyers were reportedly made during the protest, prompting the advocates to approach the High Court.
Vashishta was subsequently suspended by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Shahdara Police Station Incident
The dispute originated from an October 23 incident at Shahdara police station, where advocate Lalit Bansal allegedly suffered a serious head injury during a scuffle.
A confrontation between lawyers and police personnel followed the incident, leading district court advocates to begin an indefinite strike demanding action against the officers allegedly involved.
Amid these demands, Delhi Police issued transfer orders on October 28 affecting two officers.
Vashishta, who was serving as the sub-divisional police officer in Gandhi Nagar, was transferred to the Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC). Inspector Arun Kumar, then Station House Officer of Shahdara police station, was shifted to the security unit.
The lawyers subsequently withdrew their strike.
The dispute came before the High Court again following Monday’s police protest and the alleged remarks against advocates. The court will now consider the lawyers’ plea on November 6.
