New Delhi, Oct 10 The Supreme Court Bar Association on Saturday condemned the reported use of "excessive force" against lawyers and requested Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to urgently intervene in the matter. Sources said
the lawyers were on their way to Jantar Mantar where the CJP has called for a protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
In a resolution, the SCBA said it has been informed that many advocates have also been detained.
"The Supreme Court Bar Association expresses its grave concern and condemns the reported use of excessive force against, and detention of, senior and young advocates, particularly women advocates, who were peacefully protesting in the Supreme Court area today," it said.
"The Supreme Court Bar Association resolves to request the 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 resolution said.
The association further requested that the circumstances of detention 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 Chief Justice of India for urgent consideration," the resolution said.
Advocate Pragya Baghel, honorary secretary of the SCBA, later said that all the detained lawyers have been released.
The CJP has called the proposed demonstration against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and changes relating to Form 6, used for voter registration.
