Saurabh Bharadwaj backs Shahdara lawyers’ strike and urges unity against alleged Delhi Police brutality, calling for justice and accountability.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj has appealed to lawyers across the national capital to unite against alleged police brutality and what he described as the government’s arrogance. His remarks came amid a lawyers’ strike following allegations that police personnel assaulted lawyers inside Shahdara police station.
Bharadwaj alleged that the lawyers had gone to the police station over claims that the police accepted money to release accused persons without arresting them. According to him, instead of registering a case against the Station House Officer (SHO), the police filed an FIR against the lawyers. The allegations have triggered anger among members of the legal fraternity.
Saurabh Bharadwaj Calls for Unity Among Lawyers
Addressing the issue, Saurabh Bharadwaj said the ongoing dispute was a serious matter that required a united response from lawyers and their representative bodies. He argued that the legal fraternity should stand up against alleged injustice, irrespective of whether the affected person is a lawyer or a member of another profession.
The AAP Delhi chief said the incident reminded him of an earlier controversy involving a woman journalist who had allegedly faced misconduct by an assistant commissioner of police (ACP)-rank officer. According to Bharadwaj, journalists had demanded the registration of an FIR against the officer but were instead confronted with a case against the journalist over alleged caste-based remarks.
He questioned why the Bar Council and district Bar Associations had not taken a stronger position in that matter. He said the legal community should raise its voice whenever the rights of individuals are threatened.
Shahdara Police Station Incident Sparks Anger
According to Bharadwaj, lawyers entered Shahdara police station after raising concerns about alleged payments made to secure the release of accused persons. He said the lawyers claimed they were assaulted inside the police station and that the police subsequently registered an FIR against them rather than acting on their complaint.
The AAP leader said these allegations had prompted lawyers across Delhi to go on strike. He maintained that the matter required a fair investigation and that complaints should be addressed without discrimination.
The allegations concerning police conduct and the registration of the FIR remain central to the dispute highlighted by the AAP leader.
Bharadwaj Questions Silence of Bar Associations
Referring to the earlier case involving the woman journalist, Bharadwaj said journalists had spent two nights outside a police station demanding that a case be registered. He alleged that the police did not act on their demand and later filed a case against the journalist over alleged caste-related remarks against an ACP-rank officer.
He said the Bar Council and district Bar Associations should have supported the journalist in seeking justice. According to Bharadwaj, the limited response from these bodies was unfortunate because lawyers have historically played an important role in defending civil rights and leading public movements.
He warned that a lack of collective action could weaken the legal fraternity and leave individuals vulnerable to alleged misuse of authority.
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AAP Says It Stands With Lawyers
Bharadwaj said the Aam Aadmi Party stood firmly with the lawyers protesting the Shahdara incident. Referring to the party’s tenure in government in Delhi, he said the AAP government had introduced medical and life insurance benefits for lawyers, which also provided support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the party continued to support the legal community and believed that lawyers should be able to raise concerns without fear of retaliation.
The AAP Delhi president also referred to his own background, saying he had studied law and that several members of his family had been associated with the legal profession for generations. He said this connection gave him a personal sense of responsibility towards lawyers.
Lawyers Have Played a Major Role in India’s Freedom Struggle: Bharadwaj
Bharadwaj said lawyers had made significant contributions to India’s freedom struggle and continued to play an important role in movements seeking justice and accountability. He urged members of the profession to stand alongside young people and other citizens when they raise concerns against the government.
He also criticised what he described as media portrayals of lawyers as villains during earlier clashes between lawyers and police. Referring to protests involving young people, including those aged 18 and 19, he alleged that sections of the media often presented police personnel as heroes while depicting protesters negatively.
Bharadwaj urged lawyers to become more active in defending the rights of citizens, warning that remaining silent could further weaken their collective voice.
AAP Reiterates Support for the Legal Fraternity
Concluding his appeal, Bharadwaj called on lawyers across Delhi to unite and demand accountability in cases involving alleged police misconduct. He said the legal community must work collectively to protect its members and support citizens seeking justice.
The Shahdara police station controversy has brought renewed attention to the relationship between the police and the legal fraternity. The allegations raised by the lawyers and the AAP leader underline the need for an impartial examination of the incident and the complaints filed by the parties involved.
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