A major scuffle broke out between the Delhi Police and the lawyers in Tis Hazari Court on Saturday. At least 20 policemen were injured which included additional DCP and two SHOs.

Further, eight lawyers were hurt in the clash with the Delhi Police.

Twelve motorcycles, one gypsy, eight jail vans which were outside the lockup were demolished. Some vehicles were set on fire.

Lawyers forcefully entered the Lock Up: Delhi Police statement

In a statement, the Delhi Police on Saturday said, "In protest, large number of advocates of the Tis Hazari Court assembled near Lock Up. The CCTV footage examined so far has shown that lawyers forcefully entered the Lock Up and started manhandling the police officials on duty."

The Delhi Police said that the senior officials who were trying to counsel the advocates were beaten mercilessly.

"Further, they also set on fire some police vehicles. When they stormed the police lockup, for the safety of under trial prisoners and in self defence police has to resort to firing aiming in the air," the statement further read.

"The circumstances of the gunshot injury to the lawyer are being further investigated with the help of the CFSL team," the Delhi Police said.

"Due to burning of vehicles, the under trial prisoners started feeling suffocated. A human chain was formed and all the Under trial prisoners were...shifted to Tihar jail with proper escort and situation was brought under control after lot of efforts," the Delhi Police further said.

An investigation has been ordered into the incident which took place at Tis Hazari. The Delhi Police has handed over the investigation to the SIT crime branch.

"It has been decided that an SIT of the crime branch will investigate the case registered," Delhi Police said in its statement.

What do the lawyers say?

The lawyers have accused the third battalion policemen of assault. There was an argument between some lawyers and police personnel reportedly over a parking issue which turned ugly, they said.

SHO Kotwali Rajeev Bhardwaj received injuries oh his head. Almost half a dozen police personnel were also injured in the incident. A lawyer was injured in the incident. He has been admitted to St Stephen's Hospital.

Additional DCP Harendra was beaten up and DCP Monika Bhardwaj was also misbehaved with, police sources said.

Strike on November 4

In light of the Tis Hazari Court incident, advocates of lower courts will be on strike on November 4. They will also submit a memorandum to the Commissioner of Police and the Home Ministry about the Tis Hazari incident.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Jai Biswal, Tis Hazari Bar association's office-bearer said, "A police vehicle hit the vehicle of a lawyer while he was coming to the court. When the lawyer confronted them, he was ridiculed and six police personnel carried him inside and thrashed him. People saw this and called the police."

Jai Biswal further said, "The SHO and local police came but were not allowed to go inside. We informed the High Court and a team was sent there along with six judges but even they were not allowed to go in."

"When they started leaving, cops fired bullets," Jai Biswal said.

Jai Biswal, Tis Hazari Bar assn's office bearer: SHO & local police came there but were not allowed to go inside. We informed the High Court, a team was sent there along with 6 judges but even they were not allowed to go in. When they started leaving, cops fired bullets. ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2019

The Delhi Police has deployed forces in the area to bring the situation under control.

During the scuffle, an alleged criminal under the custody of UP Police also managed to escape, according to sources.

Bar Council of Delhi Chairman KC Mittal said, "We strongly condemn brutal unprovoked attack on lawyers by police at Tis Hazari Court."

Mittal also said, "One lawyer is critical. A young lawyer was beaten in lockup. They should be dismissed and prosecuted. We stand with Delhi lawyers."

Reacting to the scuffle between the Delhi Police and lawyers at Tis Hazari court on Saturday, Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said, "It is a very brutal action of Delhi Police. Simply, because of some parking issue, police started firing on innocent advocates. Bar Council cannot tolerate this."

Further Manan Kumar Mishra, along with Bar Council of India Co-Chairman Ved Prakash Sharma and Chairman of Bar Council of Delhi KC Mittal has requested the authorities to provide the best medical treatment to the injured lawyers.

He has also requested Hon’ble Lt Governor and Police Commissioner of Delhi to immediately lodge an FIR and arrest the guilty policemen.

Manan Kumar Mishra said, "We have demanded from the higher police officials and the government to immediately arrest the guilty policemen and put them under suspension, failing which the situation may go beyond the control of the government and the Bar Council."

Manan Kumar Mishra, Chairman, Bar Council of India: We have demanded from the higher police officials & the govt to immediately arrest guilty policemen&put them under suspension, failing which the situation may go beyond the control of govt & the Bar Council. #Delhi https://t.co/PKBz4GQ5Hn ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2019

The Bar Council of India is sending a team to take stock of the situation and to decide further course of action. In the meantime, the Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra has appealed to the advocates to maintain peace and not to take law in their hands as their representative body itself has taken the issue very seriously.

A journalist was also hit by lawyers at Tis Hazari Court while he was covering the scuffle between lawyers and Delhi Police, ANI reported.

Journalists present at the spot were being stopped by lawyers from covering the incident and their mobile phones were being snatched, according to ANI.

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