Lawyers to go on nation-wide strike

Lawyers decided to observe nation-wide strike on February 3 and 18 in the district courts seeking withdrawal of changes in the CrPC that gives police the discretion to arrest the accused in an offence punishable upto 7 year jail term.

Lawyers on Thursday decided to observe nation-wide strike on February 3 and 18 in the district courts seeking withdrawal of changes in the CrPC that gives police the discretion to arrest the accused in an offence punishable upto 7 year jail term.

HT Image

The advocates, who held similar strikes thrice in the last 20 days, will also hold a rally in the Capital on February 3 to press for their demand, Rajiv Khosla, spokesman of the Co-ordination Committee All Bar Association of Delhi, told PTI.

"On that day, the advocates would start their march at 3 pm from Patiala House Courts complex and go to India Gate to lodge their protest," Khosla said, adding the lawyers were determined to take their fight to the logical conclusion.

Earlier, the lawyers in the northern states including the capital had gone on a day-long strike in the district courts on January 19.

A Federation of Bar Associations has been formed to launch a "unified protest" against the changes in the statute.

According to the amendments in the Act, which had received the President's assent, no arrest would be required for cognisable offences such as molestation, dowry harassment and attempt to robbery, prescribing maximum punishment of seven years' jail term.