UP: SIT formed to investigate advocates-police clash in Hapur

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], August 30 : A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the advocates-police clash incident that occurred on Tuesday, the Special Director General in charge of Law and Order Prashant Kumar said, adding that the report will be submitted in seven days.
"A clash broke out between advocates and police in Hapur yesterday. A SIT has been formed to investigate this matter. It will be headed by the Commissioner, Meerut. IG Meerut and DIG Moradabad will be the other members. The SIT is to submit its report in seven days," the Special DG said on Wednesday.
Appealing to the advocates to maintain peace, Prashant Kumar said, "Our district administration is in touch with Bar Council members. I appeal to everybody to maintain law and order and to support the administration".
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) strongly condemned the incident of lathi charge by the Police on lawyers in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh and sought to investigate the incident and bring the guilty police officers to justice.
Hapur Bar Association's officials and members on Tuesday were staging a protest over an alleged 'fabricated' case filed against a female lawyer and her father. Tensions escalated as police resorted to lathi-charge against lawyers.
SCBA stated that the lathi charge on the advocates, who were protesting peacefully against the alleged high-handedness of the police, is a clear violation of their rights and the rule of law.
The Supreme Court Bar Association will not tolerate any attack on the prestige of advocates and in pursuance sought to censure the police officers responsible for the lathi charge, stated the press communications issued by Advocate Rohit Pandey, Hong, Secretary of SCBA. Pay compensation to the injured advocates, take measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur, and introduce and implement the Advocates Protection Act for the protection of advocates and their families against such brutal incidents, demanded SCBA. Take steps to improve the law and order situation in the State and to ensure that the police personnel are accountable for their actions, stated the SCBA.
The Supreme Court Bar Association also called upon the Bar Council of India and all other State Bar Councils to take necessary steps to protect the rights of advocates and to ensure that they are able to discharge their duties without fear of intimidation or harassment.
The Supreme Court Bar Association stands in solidarity with the advocates of Hapur and pledges to do everything in its power to ensure that justice is served, stated the press communications issued by SCBA.