New Delhi, Aug 25 (HS): The boycott of judicial work by lawyers in the national capital continued on Monday for the third consecutive day in protest against Delhi Lieutenant Governor’s (LG) notification permitting police personnel to record witness statements via video conferencing from police stations.

On Monday, lawyers at the Karkardooma Court stopped police officers and government counsel from entering the premises as part of their ongoing protest. Shahdara Bar Association Secretary, Narvir Dabas, argued that allowing testimony from police stations would undermine justice and go against the interests of both litigants and lawyers.

The strike, called by the Coordination Committee of All District Court Bar Associations, began on August 22. The body has now announced plans to escalate the protest with street demonstrations and even a possible gherao (siege) of the LG’s office.

The movement has gathered wider support, with both the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Delhi High Court Bar Association backing the lawyers’ demand for the withdrawal of the notification. On August 23, both bodies issued notices urging the LG to retract the controversial order.

The lawyers’ associations remain firm, pointing out that the LG’s August 13 notification contradicted a July 15, 2024 circular of the Union Home Secretary, which explicitly prohibited recording evidence inside police stations. Despite letters of objection sent on August 20 to the LG, Union Home Minister, Law Minister, and Delhi Chief Minister, no action was taken within the stipulated 48 hours.

With no response forthcoming, the Coordination Committee, in an emergency meeting on August 21, resolved to extend the strike, keeping lower courts across Delhi shut on August 22 and 23, and continuing the boycott until August 25.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar