Lawyers in Mumbai's Borivali Suburb on Strike Following Alleged Assault on Colleague by Police Officer

In a shocking incident that has raised serious concerns about the treatment of legal professionals in India, lawyer Prithviraj Zhala was allegedly assaulted by Assistant Police Inspector (API) Anant Gite at the Kandivli police station in Mumbai on Tuesday. Zhala was reportedly accompanying a client when the altercation occurred, which has now sparked significant backlash from the legal community.

According to Rajesh More, the president of the court's bar association, the incident has escalated tensions between lawyers and police, prompting hundreds of lawyers at the Metropolitan Magistrate court in Mumbai's Borivali suburb to stage a strike on Thursday in protest against the assault. Eyewitness accounts suggest that API Gite slapped Zhala without any provocation, an act that has been deemed unacceptable by the legal fraternity.

In response to the outrage, the bar association has called for stringent action against API Gite, demanding that he be charged under the Advocates Protection Act. This law is designed to safeguard the rights and dignity of advocates, ensuring they can perform their duties without fear of harassment or violence. The Mumbai police have responded by assuring the bar association that they will take appropriate action regarding the incident and that an inquiry will be conducted by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) from the Goregaon division.

To facilitate a thorough investigation, API Gite has been reassigned to the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for Zone XI, pending the outcome of the inquiry report. The legal community is closely monitoring the situation, hoping that justice will be served and that measures will be implemented to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.

Lawyer Prithviraj Zhala was reportedly in plain clothes during the incident, which has raised further questions about the treatment of individuals by law enforcement, regardless of their professional status. The bar association’s strike reflects a growing concern over the safety and respect afforded to legal professionals in their line of work.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for accountability within law enforcement agencies and highlights the ongoing struggle for advocates to operate freely and safely within the judicial system. As the inquiry unfolds, the legal community awaits decisive actions that reaffirm the respect and protection owed to lawyers in their pursuit of justice.