In a disturbing incident in Prayagraj, tensions flared between police and lawyers during Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s visit on Tuesday, leading to the beating of an advocate near Hindu Hostel. The clash reportedly began when a lawyer attempted to cross a police barricade set up for the CM’s security, leading to a heated exchange with the officer in charge, Sub-Inspector Atul Kumar Singh, who allegedly assaulted the lawyer.
The altercation quickly escalated as more lawyers gathered at the scene, setting up their own barricades and attempting to block the road in protest. The situation grew tense, prompting a large police presence to attempt to defuse the unrest. The lawyers demanded immediate action, resulting in the suspension of Sub-Inspector Singh and an order for a thorough investigation into the incident.
The Chief Minister, who had arrived in the city on Tuesday morning along with the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, was preparing to depart from the Circuit House when the incident occurred. Traffic had been halted for the VIP movement, coinciding with lawyers heading to court, which likely contributed to the tensions.
Eye-witnesses reported that the confrontation began when the lawyer challenged the necessity of the roadblock, leading to the physical altercation. The rapid response by the police to the lawyers’ protest included the Deputy Commissioner of Police City, Abhishek, arriving at the site to manage the situation. The decision to suspend the sub-inspector was taken swiftly to pacify the protesting lawyers and restore order.
The DCP stated that the actions of Sub-Inspector Singh had tarnished the image of the police and warranted immediate suspension pending a departmental inquiry. The officer will remain attached to police lines and is barred from leaving headquarters without prior permission during the suspension.
