Lawyers in Delhi District Courts End Strike Called in Wake of Tis Hazari Clashes, to Resume Work

New Delhi: Lawyers in Delhi called off their strike on Friday almost two weeks after clashes with police at the Tiz Hazari court here. The advocates will resume work on Saturday, said a body representing them.

Lawyers in all the six district courts in the national capital had completely boycotted work to protest against the clash at Tis Hazari court on November 2, with proxy counsels appearing in courts to take dates in matters and assist the litigants.

The Coordination Committee of All District Courts Bar Associations took the decision in a meeting of the office bearers after the Delhi High Court order directed the lawyers to resolve the matter.

In view of the Delhi High Court order granting relief to two police officials on Friday, further course of action will be decided after taking the view of the members of the Bar, the association said. The high court has directed authorities not to take coercive action against the police officials who were booked in connection with the clashes. It adjourned the matter for December 23.

"In a general meeting held today, the view of the members of the bar were obtained and it has been unanimously suggested that in view of the order of the high court the abstinence of work should not be continued and recalled for the time being, and our agitation in other modes be continued effectively," association chairman Mahavir Sharma said. "The fight for an advocates protection act will continue."

"We respect the order of the High Court so the abstinence from work is suspended, work to be resumed from Saturday," Sharma added.

On Friday, a proxy counsel appeared in courts to take dates in matters and assist litigants.

Delhi Police personnel and lawyers were involved in an altercation on the premises of Tis Hazari Court on November 2 after a clash over a parking dispute turned violent. At least 20 security personnel and several advocates were injured in the fracas, and many vehicles were set on fire.

In unprecedented protests by the Delhi Police, thousands of its personnel had laid siege outside the police headquarters for 11 hours on November 5 and staged a virtual revolt sparked by two attacks on their colleagues by the lawyers.

The lawyers' strike was called off a day after the Delhi Police resumed duty at the Tis Hazari court premises after a gap of about two weeks.

(With inputs from PTI)