The Telangana Legislative Assembly approved the Telangana Advocates Protection Bill, 2026, ensuring police protection, safeguards against false cases, and a dedicated grievance redressal system for lawyers. Minister Sridhar Babu Duddilla said the law, shaped by Bar Council inputs, strengthens advocates’ safety, confidence, and professional independence.
The Telangana Legislative Assembly has approved the Telangana Advocates Protection Bill, 2026. Designed to curb rising attacks on lawyers, the law provides police protection for advocates, safeguards against false litigation, and establishes a specialized grievance redressal mechanism.
A post on X by State Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communication, Industry & Commerce, and Legislative Affairs Sridhar Babu Duddilla said the Bill was drafted after a resolution from the Bar Council of Telangana and consultations with high court bar associations, legal forums, and members of the legal community. The post added that the legislation will bolster advocates’ professional safety and confidence.
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The assembly passed the Bill, aiming to enhance the safety, welfare, and professional security of lawyers. It includes provisions for insurance coverage and health cards for eligible advocates to reduce financial vulnerability in the profession.
The Bill also promotes inclusive representation in legal appointments such as public prosecutors and standing counsels with special attention to BCs, SCs, STs, and minority groups. Under the ‘Nyaya Nirman’ initiative, it proposes infrastructure support including dedicated Bar Association facilities, with particular measures for women advocates.
While responding to questions and suggestions from members of the BJP, AIMIM, CPI, and Congress about the Bill, legislative affairs minister D Sridhar Babu said,
“Our govt is sincerely committed to the welfare and protection of advocates, and we are taking concrete steps to ensure their safety and dignity. We are deeply committed to social justice not merely in words, but through measurable action. In the appointment of public prosecutors (PPs), standing counsels, and other legal positions, we are giving significant representation to BCs, SCs, and STs. In contrast, the central govt has not upheld the same commitment to social justice. If the data is examined closely, the disparity will become evident,”
Sridhar urged BJP members to encourage their party at the Centre to also improve representation for SCs, STs, and BCs in top legal posts, not only press the state government for such measures. He highlighted the state’s current figures: of 414 public prosecutors, 126 belong to BC communities, 59 to SCs, and 25 to STs. Among assistant public prosecutors (APPs), 24 are from OC communities, 37 from BCs, 16 from SCs, 3 from STs, and 1 from a minority community.
He added,
“These numbers clearly reflect our govt’s inclusive approach,” he said. “Insurance coverage and health cards will be provided to eligible advocates, ensuring their social and financial security. For women advocates, we are taking steps to establish dedicated Bar association halls, and under the “Nyaya Nirman” initiative, we will strengthen the infrastructure and basic facilities required for the legal fraternity,”
While introducing the Bill, the minister recalled the murder of advocate Gattu Vaman Rao and his spouse during the previous BRS administration, an incident that shocked the public and remains under CBI investigation. He noted that the legal community has long demanded a specific law for their protection, which the earlier administration did not enact.
Sridhar said,
“Our govt is committed to safeguarding the dignity and security of advocates and has brought this Bill,”
The assembly also passed the Telangana Platform-based Gig Workers (Registration, Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2026. Labour minister G Vivek said the measure seeks to bring app-based delivery, mobility, and service workers into a formal welfare and social security structure, and mandates the creation of a dedicated social security and welfare board to register workers and administer benefits.