The Delhi High Court on Sunday took suo motu cognizance of the incident involving police officials and lawyers engaging in a brawl at Tis Hazari Court complex on Saturday and ordered probe to be completed within 6 months under Justice SP Garg.

Taking cognizance of the media reports, a bench headed by Chief Justice DN Patel issued notice to Centre, Bar Council of India, Bar Council of Delhi, Delhi government, all bar associations of district courts of Delhi and Delhi High Court Bar Association and sought replies.

It further directed Delhi Police Commissioner to record statements of the injured advocates, and subsequently register an FIR immediately, in connection with the violence.

The bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar also ordered compensation of Rs 50,000 to Advocate Vijay Verma and Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 to other injured advocates.

At today’s hearing, the bench was told by SCBA President Rakesh Kumar Khanna that a judicial enquiry should be instituted under retired SC judge or Delhi HC judge and assisted by CBI and IB.

“Police officers who destructed the Lawyers Chamber at Tis Hazari should compensate the same and this court should laid down guidelines that no such action should take place in future,” said Khanna.

On Saturday, a clash broke out between the Advocates and police officials at the complex over some parking and leading to burning of vehicles.

A vehicle of the Delhi Police was set ablaze by a mob of angry lawyers. Lawyers later protested in the court premises on the breach committed by the police personnel and also declared strike. One lawyer was taken to a hospital after sustaining bullet injury in the incident.

—India Legal Bureau