BAR COUNCIL OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA ALL MEMBERS MEETING HELD
The Voice of Chandigarh :
Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana’s all member General House meeting was held today w.r.t. the matter of inhumane custodial torture of Adv Varinder Singh Sandhu (also a member of District Bar Association, Sri Mukatsar Sahib) at the hands of Punjab police officials of CIA staff and District police of Sri Muktsar Sahib reflecting abominable police excesses. In the meeting the followings unanimous decisions were taken: –
The act and conduct of the Punjab police is callous and unspeakable off and is condemned by all in strongest possible terms. Hon’ble Chief Minister is urged to take immediate note of the escalating situation.
The brother advocate and his family be reassured the support of entire 1.5 lakh strong legal fraternity of three states who now stand behind them under all circumstances, also full support and appreciation to the respected President and Executive body of District Bar Association Sri Mukatsar Sahib.
The following demands are raised before the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Punjab Government for immediate consideration: –
- False FIR No. 153 dated 15.09.2023 registered U/s 332, 353, 186 and 427 IPC at P.S. City Shri Muktsar Sahib against Adv Varinder Singh Sandhu be cancelled and he be released with immediate effect.
- All the accused police officials in FIR No. 145 dated 25.09.2023 registered U/s 377, 342, 323, 149, 506 IPC at P.S. Sadar Shri Muktsar Sahib be immediately arrested and all accused as mentioned in the Ld.CJM’s order be arrayed and arrested along with, without delay.
- Senior Superintendent of Police, Shri Muktsar Sahib be taken to task and suspended, disciplinary proceedings be initiated and he be transferred from District Sri Muktsar Sahib immediately.
- Punjab Government or appropriate authority on behalf of the State of Punjab must immediately request for transfer of the investigation in FIR registered against the accused police officials to CBI or any other independent agency outside the State of Punjab.
- Punjab Government should immediately give Rs. 25 Lakhs as compensation to the victim Advocate Varinder Singh Sandhu.
While requesting the Hon’ble Chief Minister to take serious note of the grave situation, it was resolved that if all these demands are not met by 27.09.2023 at 03:00 PM, the State Bar Council shall be forced to take all possible steps within its realm to protect the rights, privileges and interests of advocates on its roll.
It was decided that all advocates shall abstain from working in all Courts in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh till 27.09.2023 | 03:00PM i.e. the time given to the Punjab Government to resolve the issue and consider the genuine demands. If the same are not considered, the work-abstention shall continue till 28.09.2023 and a meeting of Presidents and office-bearers of all Bar Associations form the three states shall be called at 28.09.2023 | 02:00 PM to decide on further collective course of action.
