ADVOCATE ASSAULTED | Patna HC Orders SIT Following Violent Crime

Following an assault on an advocate in Patna, the High Court rebukes the police, spotlighting systemic issues in law enforcement and justice.

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ADVOCATE ASSAULTED | Patna HC Orders SIT Following Violent Crime

BIHAR: The Patna High Court has issued a stern reprimand to the local law enforcement authorities, highlighting a significant lapse in the city’s safety and judicial fairness. This comes in the wake of a distressing incident involving the brutal assault of junior advocates, which has raised serious questions about the safety and security of residents in Patna.

Justice Bibek Chaudhuri, presiding over the case, expressed grave concerns regarding the safety of the city’s inhabitants. He stated,

“If, in the city of Patna, the Advocates are assaulted by some goons at about 10:00 P.M., this Court cannot accept the incident as an isolated incident, but prima facie holds that the city is not a safe place for any people to reside.”

This remark came during the hearing of a criminal writ application filed by Abhishek Kumar, a junior advocate at the Patna High Court, who, along with his colleagues, became victims of a violent altercation.

The incident, which occurred on March 1st, 2024, involved a dispute over parking space between the petitioner, his fellow advocates, and their landlord in Patna’s Jakkanpur locality. The confrontation escalated, resulting in the landlord and several unidentified individuals attacking the petitioner and his associates. The assault was severe, with one of the victims, Ranveer Parwat, also an advocate, sustaining a significant injury from a kitchen knife, which jeopardized his left eye.

Despite the severity of the attack, the response from the local police was notably inadequate. The initial reluctance to file a First Information Report (F.I.R.) and the subsequent lenient treatment of the accused have been subjects of severe criticism. The court was astonished that the F.I.R. did not invoke more severe sections of the Indian Penal Code (I.P.C.), given the nature of the injuries and the apparent intent behind the assault.

Justice Chaudhuri’s observations shed light on the broader implications of this incident for the legal profession and the principles of justice. He emphasized,

“The legal profession as well as the duties discharged by the learned Advocates are the onerous duty of helping the third pillar of democracy in the dispensation of justice.”

The assault on young advocates, who were merely beginning their careers, has been seen as an attack on the very foundations of justice and democracy.

In response to the apparent partiality shown by the police towards the landlord, the court has taken decisive action. It has ordered the removal of the police officer attached to the Jakkanpur Police Station from the investigation and called for the formation of a Special Investigating Team (S.I.T.) led by the Senior Superintendent of Police in Patna. This team is tasked with conducting a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident, ensuring that justice is served without fear or favor.

Furthermore, the court has instructed the preservation of CCTV footage from the locality and the police station, emphasizing the importance of transparent and evidence-based investigation. The Senior Superintendent of Police has also been directed to ensure the safety and security of the petitioner and other advocate residents, preventing any further intimidation or retaliation.

This case stands as a critical reminder of the challenges faced by legal professionals and ordinary citizens in Patna, highlighting the urgent need for systemic changes to ensure safety and justice for all. The Patna High Court’s intervention not only seeks to address the immediate concerns arising from this incident but also aims to instigate a broader reflection on the state of law and order in the city.

As the investigation proceeds, the legal community and the residents of Patna await decisive action and meaningful reforms that can restore their faith in the city’s safety and judicial integrity. The outcome of this case could well be a turning point, signaling a new era of accountability and protection for all citizens, irrespective of their profession or status.