Indian legal associations condemn lawyer detentions during protests

Legal associations in India have condemned the detention of lawyers following protests regarding electoral processes and voter-list manipulation.

In the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant intervened to secure the release of several lawyers, including senior and female advocates, who were detained during a protest at the Supreme Court premises. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) raised concerns regarding the use of excessive force by police. The SCBA requested urgent intervention to ensure the safety of the detained members and demanded accountability for officers allegedly using unnecessary force.

Separately, the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) criticized police actions during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The DHCBA reported that lawyers were forcibly removed and subjected to excessive force while protesting alleged voter-list manipulation. The association has called for an impartial investigation into the incident, noting reports that police personnel allegedly tore the Preamble of the Constitution during the confrontation.