Lawyers' Indefinite Strike Paralyzes Proceedings in Punjab & Haryana High Court

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana High Court are once again grappling with a cessation of court proceedings as lawyers continue their indefinite strike, mirroring a similar standoff from last Tuesday. The strike, organized by the High Court Bar Association, is a response to the alleged brutal treatment endured by Advocate Virinder Singh, a member of the Bar Association, at the hands of the police in Sri Muktsar Sahib.

The High Court Bar Association has set a stern ultimatum, giving Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann until September 29 to address their demands and take appropriate action against the reported police brutality. The association has presented a set of seven key demands that need to be met before they agree to end the strike.

Among the demands put forth by the Bar Association are the annulment of a purported false case (No. 153) filed on September 15 against Advocate Virinder Singh, a transfer of the investigation of case number 145 to the CBI, and the insertion of additional clauses under IPC and IT Act 2000 in the ongoing case.

NK Verma, the convener of BJP's legal cell, has also accused the police of egregious conduct, alleging that they forcibly stripped Advocate Virinder Singh and filmed him. The lawyer was allegedly threatened with the viral dissemination of the video if he spoke out in court.