HC seeks CJM report on police atrocities against Etah lawyer

PRAYAGRAJ : Taking suo moto cognizance of police atrocities against a practising lawyer and his family in Etah district, the Allahabad high court on Tuesday asked chief judicial magistrate, Etah, to submit a complete report of the incident by January 8. The incident is said to have taken place on December 21.

A two judges bench comprising chief justice Govind Mathur and justice SD Singh passed the order on a letter sent to it by the Bar Council of UP.

The court, while sitting during ongoing winter vacation, observed, “Having considered the facts stated in the letters referred above, we deem it appropriate to have a complete report of the incident through Chief Judicial Magistrate, Etah. The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Etah is directed to make a necessary inquiry by availing all relevant facts including audio visual electronic documents and submit to this Court on or before next date of listing.”

The bench in its order has mentioned that the Bar Council of UP has addressed a letter to the chief justice of this court with a request to take appropriate action in relation to the incident.

As per the averments in the letter, lawyer Rajendra Sharma was beaten and manhandled by police and his relatives too were harassed and humiliated.

A letter has also been received by the secretariat of the chief justice from the High Court Bar Association on the same issue. Certain other lawyers have also registered their protest against the incident.

The court had directed the district administration to cooperate with the CJM, Etah and observed, “The district magistrate, Etah as well as senior superintendent of police, Etah are directed to co-operate the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Etah and they shall supply all relevant facts and documents as desired by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Etah to furnish report of the incident to this Court.”