The Delhi High Court on 3 November declined to take suo motu cognisance of alleged threatening remarks made by Delhi Police ACP Manasvi Vashishtha against lawyers. A Division Bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma asked the advocates to approach the Court through a formal petition.
The matter was mentioned by a group of lawyers who sought immediate judicial intervention over remarks allegedly made against members of the legal fraternity.
Background
The controversy began following an alleged assault on advocate Lalit Bansal on October 23, in which he reportedly suffered a serious head injury. Lawyers subsequently visited Shahdara Police Station, alleging that ACP Manasvi Vashishtha and SHO Arun Kumar had assured them that the accused would be arrested but later released them.
The situation escalated when lawyers returned to question the police action. Allegations were subsequently raised that the ACP threatened the advocates and brandished his revolver. The incident led to an indefinite strike by district court lawyers, who demanded action against the concerned police officers.
Both officers were transferred on October 28, following which the lawyers called off their strike. However, on November 2, Vashishtha participated in a protest by police personnel outside Delhi Police Headquarters, where allegedly threatening remarks against lawyers were also made.
During the hearing, lawyers brought the alleged remarks, including references to AK-47 rifles and the phrase "Kaale Coat Ke Gunde" (goons in black coats), to the Court's attention. They requested the Acting Chief Justice to take suo motu cognisance of the matter.
"The Bench declined to initiate proceedings on its own and advised the advocates to bring the issue before it through a properly filed petition. It assured them that the matter would be considered and arrangements would be made for its listing. The lawyers were also asked to provide a copy of the petition to Delhi Police Standing Counsel (Criminal) Sanjay Lao."
The Delhi High Court declined to initiate suo motu proceedings at this stage and directed the lawyers to file a formal petition.
The Bench assured them that the matter would be examined and its listing would be ordered after the petition was filed.
