SCBA Condemns Murder Of Advocate Virender Kumar Narwal, Calls For Enactment Of Advocates Protection Act
The Executive Committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), has condemned the brutal attack on late Advocate Virender Kumar Narwal who was practicing in New Delhi, that lead to his death.
In its resolution dated April 4, 2023, the SCBA has said that the investigation into the said attack should be conducted in an expedited and fair manner by the Investigating Authority, and if the need so arises an SIT (Special Investigation Team) should be constituted to handle the case.
The SCBA resolution says, “Lawyers have been an integral part of the society, and such an attack on Lawyers will completely shatter the confidence of the public at large if the people who are meant to protect the rule of law are attacked in such manners, and the culprits are not caught expeditiously. Advocates are otherwise also vulnerable sections of the society having no social security.”
The Executive Committee of SCBA has also resolved that the Advocates Protection Bill, 2021 which is pending Parliamentary enactment for almost 2 years, be passed at the earliest, which will ensure the safety and security of the lawyers while performing their professional obligations fearlessly.
“By virtue of bringing in of such an act, certain provisions will come in force for taking care of the interests of the Advocates, be it with providing of Police Protection in certain cases, forming of a Redressal Committee for Advocates at each levels of Judiciary, protection of Advocates from Illegal Arrests and Malicious Prosecutions, waiving of bail bonds for Advocates, providing extended protection in cases of privileged communications with clients, providing Insurances and financial aids & loans to the Advocates, etc.”, says the resolution.
SCBA has expressed hope that its demands shall be considered on priority whereby the culprits will be arrested immediately and a pan-India Advocates Protection Act shall soon be passed by the Parliament on priority.
Earlier this week, the State Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana sent two drafts of the Punjab Advocates (Protection) Bill 2023 and Haryana Advocates (Protection) Bill 2023 to both the States of Punjab and Haryana demanding the enactment of the same at the earliest. It warned of initiating peaceful protest by participating in a state-wide agitation if adequate steps are not taken for the same.
