Supreme Court asks authorities to release lawyers detained over CJP protest

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has urged Chief Justice of India to intervene in the detention of lawyers by Delhi Police and central forces, condemning the alleged use of excessive force against advocates protesting peacefully in the Supreme Court area.

The association expressed particular concern over the detention of senior and young lawyers, including women advocates, and called for action on the matter. The CJI is understood to have communicated to the authorities to release the detained lawyers.

"The Supreme Court Bar Association resolves to request the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India to intervene urgently and take up the matter with the concerned authorities so that the whereabouts and safety of every detained advocate are ascertained, they are given access to legal assistance, and those against whom there are no lawful grounds for detention are released immediately. The circumstances of the detentions and the reported use of force be examined, and appropriate action be taken in accordance with law. A copy of this resolution shall be placed before the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India for urgent consideration," the statement by the Association read.

Several lawyers marching from the Supreme Court towards Jantar Mantar were detained by Delhi Police on Saturday ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s proposed protest. The advocates, dressed in formal suits, raised slogans and carried posters demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation before police stopped them at barricades on Bhagwan Das Road near the Supreme Court.

The detentions came amid heightened security across the national capital ahead of the proposed demonstration. Around 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across Delhi, while entry and exit restrictions remain in place at 45 metro stations.

Surveillance has also been stepped up at the city’s borders, railway stations, bus terminals and other sensitive locations. Delhi Police denied permission for the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed protest, citing inadequate notice and concerns over compliance with conditions during an earlier demonstration.

On Saturday, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained by Delhi Police inside an aircraft shortly after it landed in the national capital. Around 1,500 people have been detained so far in connection with the planned protest.