New Delhi, 19 September (H.S.): An incident involving the alleged harassment of women lawyers by male lawyers who were reportedly intoxicated has come to light at the Saket Court complex. One of the women lawyers involved in the incident is the Delhi state treasurer of the All India Lawyers Union (AILU). The lawyers’ organisation has condemned the incident and called for immediate action against those allegedly responsible.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the All India Lawyers Union said that on September 15, two women lawyers and a male lawyer were sitting in their chamber in the chamber block of Saket Court along with two clients to draft documents related to their case. One of the women lawyers is the Delhi treasurer of the All India Lawyers Union.

According to the organisation, at around 9:30 p.m., while they were having dinner, three male lawyers wearing lawyers’ uniforms allegedly entered their chamber in an intoxicated condition. The three men reportedly questioned the women lawyers about why they were working there so late at night and told them to leave the chamber.

The women lawyers allegedly responded by questioning the men’s authority to prevent them from working there. The three lawyers then reportedly began looking through case files and documents kept in the chamber. According to the woman lawyer, the men made derogatory remarks against the women and also allegedly engaged in a physical altercation with one of the women lawyers.

The All India Lawyers Union and the woman lawyer have lodged a complaint regarding the incident with the Saket Court Bar Association. A complaint has also been filed at Saket Police Station.

In its statement, the All India Lawyers Union said that such incidents undermine the confidence of lawyers and clients who continue to carry out their professional responsibilities even in difficult circumstances.

The All India Lawyers Union has called upon the Saket Bar Association and the concerned authorities to initiate an immediate and impartial inquiry into the incident and take strict action against those found responsible. The organisation has also demanded that adequate security measures be ensured for women lawyers working in chambers within the court complex, particularly those who work late into the night.

In addition, the organisation has called for effective measures to prevent harassment, intimidation and violence in lawyers’ chambers and throughout the court premises.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar