Lawyers across all district courts in Delhi will abstain from judicial work on October 27 following allegations of police misconduct involving advocates at Shahdara Police Station. The decision was taken unanimously by the Co-ordination Committee of All District Courts Bar Associations of Delhi, which has also demanded the immediate suspension of ACP Manasvi Vashishta and the concerned Station House Officer (SHO), pending an impartial inquiry.
The decision follows a dispute arising from an incident in which advocate Lalit Bansal allegedly suffered a serious head injury. The Committee has accused police officials of failing to take appropriate action against those involved and subsequently intimidating lawyers who approached the police station to seek accountability.
In a circular issued on October 26, the Committee said the circumstances raised serious concerns about the dignity, safety and independence of the legal fraternity.
Allegations Against ACP and SHO
According to the Committee, the controversy began with FIR No. 0248/2026 registered at Shahdara Police Station concerning an incident in which advocate Lalit Bansal sustained a serious head injury.
Advocate Amulya Ratan is the complainant in the case. The Committee stated that the nature of the injury required a prompt, effective and impartial response from the police authorities.
On the evening of October 23, several advocates visited Shahdara Police Station to seek action against those allegedly responsible for the incident.
The Committee claimed that the ACP and SHO assured the advocates that the persons named in the case would be arrested.
However, when the lawyers returned to the police station on October 24, they allegedly discovered that the accused persons had not been arrested and had reportedly been released.
The Committee said this development caused serious concern among members of the Bar, particularly considering the injury suffered by their fellow advocate and the assurances allegedly given by police officials.
ACP Accused of Intimidating Advocates
The circular further alleged that another confrontation occurred when advocates approached the police station to express their dissatisfaction with the handling of the case.
According to the account placed before the Committee, ACP Manasvi Vashishta displayed his revolver and threatened and intimidated the advocates present.
The Committee described the alleged incident as extremely serious, particularly because the lawyers had approached the authorities to seek action through lawful means.
It also expressed concern over what it described as recurring instances of high-handed conduct by police personnel towards members of the legal profession.
The allegations against the police officials have been recorded in the Committee’s resolution.
Committee Demands Immediate Suspension
Following an emergency meeting conducted through video conference on October 26, the Co-ordination Committee resolved to demand the immediate suspension of ACP Manasvi Vashishta and the concerned SHO until an impartial inquiry is conducted.
The Committee maintained that advocates pursuing legal remedies and seeking accountability should not face intimidation or confrontation from police officials.
It also emphasised that the circumstances surrounding the alleged misconduct required serious attention from the appropriate authorities.
Lawyers to Abstain From Judicial Work on October 27
As a collective protest against the alleged police high-handedness, the Committee unanimously decided that advocates would abstain from judicial work in all district courts of Delhi on October 27, 2026.
The resolution described the decision as an institutional response intended to demonstrate solidarity with members of the Bar and protect their dignity, safety and professional rights.
The Committee also appealed to lawyers across Delhi to maintain unity and solidarity, stressing the legal fraternity’s responsibility to uphold the rule of law, protect constitutional values and ensure access to justice.
