This Article is From Feb 18, 2016

JNU Case: Apologise For Lawyers Involved In Violence, Says Bar Council

JNU Case: Apologise For Lawyers Involved In Violence, Says Bar Council

Violence erupted at the court - just as it had on Monday - before Kanhaiya Kumar's arrival. (Associated Press photo)

New Delhi: After violence at a Delhi court by lawyers who assaulted arrested JNU student Kanhaiya Kumar and also attacked journalists, the Bar Council of India has apologised.

The Bar Council has also set up an inquiry and said lawyers involved in the violence could lose their licence.

"A three-member committee will probe the violence. They will submit a report in three weeks," said Manan Kumar Mishra, the president of the lawyers' body, condemning the violence by members of the fraternity.

A large group of slogan-shouting lawyers intimidated and attacked supporters of the JNU student and journalists at Patiala House Court yesterday. Many in the same group had assaulted JNU teachers, students and the media on Monday too.

The group barged into the court complex before a hearing on Kanhaiya Kumar and also kicked and punched him while he was being led to the courtroom.

Many of the lawyers were seen and heard bragging afterwards that they had "done their fundamental duty" by beating Kanhaiya Kumar and those who supported him.

One of the lawyers, Surinder Tyagi, boasted that he was detained but got way as he had "pulled strings".

Another lawyer, Vikram Chauhan, was at the forefront of both incidents of violence. He was seen assaulting a Left activist on Monday.

Mr Kumar was arrested last Friday on sedition charges, for allegedly making anti-national pronouncements at an event at JNU in support of terrorist Afzal Guru, who was hanged in 2013.

His supporters and opposition parties say his arrest is a sign of the government trying to smother dissent.
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