Trial judge slapped by lawyers; Judges' body demands security

A trial court judge was on Wednesday allegedly slapped and manhandled by a group of lawyers at a district court here, sparking strong protest from judicial officers' association which demanded security and action against the culprits.

A trial court judge was on Wednesday allegedly slapped and manhandled by a group of lawyers at a district court here, sparking strong protest from judicial officers' association which demanded security and action against the culprits.

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The Bar leaders denied the allegation of manhandling, saying it was just a "verbal duel between the lawyers and the judge".

Additional District Judge Pankaj Gupta, who presides over the court dealing with the cases under the Hindu Marriage Act at Rohini district courts, was slapped and manhandled by a group of lawyers, Delhi Judicial Officers Association said in a press release.

"One lawyer started obstructing the judicial functioning when the Judge was making an inquiry with regard to a fictitious petition filed before him. The Judge called upon the lawyer not to interfere in his inquiry.

"The enraged lawyer went out and came back with a group of lawyers. First, they abused the judge and thereafter attempted to climb the dais and when the staff of the court tried to stop them, they thrashed the staff. They then slapped

the judge and asked him to stand by the wall and again slapped and beat him," the Association said.

B S Rana, Chairperson of Bar Council of Delhi, denied the charge saying "according to my information, the judge was not assaulted. It was merely a verbal altercation."