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Journalism of Courage
SURAT, Jan 4: An impressive rally taken out by members of the Surat District Bar Association (SDBA) on Monday evening, proved to be a damp squib, as they had to return without submitting a memorandum to the police commissioner, who reportedly refused to come down from his office to meet them.
According to details, more than 300 advocates, led by association president Ashit Mehta, staged a rally from the court premises after 3 pm on Monday and reached the police chief’s office amidst heavy police security. They demanded that Sharma come down from his office so that they could present their point of view. However, after waiting for almost an hour, when Sharma did not come down, they decided to return, Mehta said, adding there was no point in going upstairs as many wanted to make a representation.
The lawyers are demanding action against H Y Chudasama, an Ahmedabad-based DySp, who drove his private vehicle onto the feet of lawyers over a minor argument on Friday, injuring advocates Vishnu Prasad Trivedi and Dharmesh Supariwala. They are already on protest for the past fortnight, demanding the arrest of BJP councillor Nita Satbhaya’s killers.
Mehta said they will now meet at the court premises on Tuesday at 11.30 am to decide the further course of action. The status quo on the decision to boycott work is on, Mehta said, but added that a delegation of 10 lawyers would meet the commissioner in his cabin. He said some members had suggested that they embark on a fast outside the commissioner.
The lawyers have already registered a case of attempt to murder against the DySp under section 307 of the Indian Penal Code.
