An autorickshaw driver attacked lawyer couple K S Binoy and Krishna Rajendran at the district court complex. The couple, who reside in Tripunithura and practice law at the complex, have filed a formal complaint regarding the incident. The motive behind the attack remains unclear. Authorities are investigating the matter.
Kochi: The Ernakulam Central police initiated a case and begun searching for an autorickshaw driver who reportedly assaulted and injured a lawyer couple at the district court complex on Friday.
K S Binoy and his wife, Krishna Rajendran, both residents of Tripunithura and practicing law at the district court, filed a complaint regarding the incident. According to the police, around 10:30 AM, as Binoy and Krishna were entering the court complex through the western gate in their car, an autorickshaw approached from the opposite direction.
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When Binoy asked the autorickshaw driver to give way, he was met with verbal abuse. Upon questioning the driver’s rude behavior, the driver attacked the couple with the keys from his vehicle.
The couple sustained minor injuries and was subsequently admitted to a hospital.
Abuse or harassment of lawyers is a serious issue, as they play an important role in the justice system. In India, several laws and provisions aim to protect them.
The Indian Penal Code (IPC) has sections like 504, 506, and 186 to punish those who insult, threaten, or obstruct lawyers, especially when they act as public servants like prosecutors. Under the Contempt of Court Act, 1971, any abuse or harassment of lawyers during court proceedings can be treated as contempt if it interferes with justice.
Publicly abusing a lawyer is a serious issue in India as it can harm their dignity and affect their work.
The following legal provisions deal with such acts:
- Indian Penal Code (IPC):
- Section 504: Punishes intentional insults aimed at provoking someone to break the peace. This applies to public abuse that may cause violence or disturb order.
- Section 506: Deals with criminal intimidation, including threats to a lawyer’s safety or profession.
- Section 500: Covers defamation, which means making false public statements to harm a lawyer’s reputation.
- Section 509: Protects individuals (especially women lawyers) from words or acts meant to insult their modesty.
- Contempt of Court Act, 1971:
If the abuse happens in court or disrupts a lawyer’s ability to represent their client, it may be treated as contempt of court, as it interferes with justice. - Advocates Act, 1961:
This law, while focused on lawyers’ conduct, also ensures their protection. It allows the Bar Council to address issues of unfair treatment or misconduct.
- SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989:
If the abuse targets a lawyer from Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes, this Act can be used against caste-based harassment. - Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC):
- Section 144: Allows authorities to prevent gatherings or actions that could lead to abuse or threats to lawyers in public.
- Court Rulings:
Courts in India have stressed the need to respect lawyers and have taken strict action against those who publicly abuse or harass them, as it harms the dignity of the legal profession.
This incident shows the need for public awareness campaigns to teach people the importance of respecting professionals like lawyers. Authorities should also organize training on handling conflicts and managing anger for those in public service jobs, like autorickshaw drivers.
Such incidents damages the peaceful atmosphere of court premises and highlight the need for better safety measures. The legal community, police, and local authorities must work together to ensure that violence or threats do not disturb the justice system.