Jammu & Kashmir

Bar Association suspends work against ‘illegal arrest’ of member lawyer Advocate Bukhari

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Srinagar: J&K High Court Bar Association Srinagar, condemned the ‘unwarranted and illegal’ arrest of Advocate Shabir Ahmad Bukhari, member lawyer of the Bar Association by the State Police and described the arrest of the Advocate as an ‘assault on the judiciary and lawyers’.

Taking serious note of the illegal arrest of Shabir Ahmad Bukhari, the members of the Bar Association decided to abstain from appearing before the Courts including the Hon’ble High Court in protest against the arrest of the advocate Shabir Ahmad Bukhari.

The work remained suspended by the members in the High Court, as well as in the Courts subordinate to it at Moominabad. The members of District Bar Association Budgam also supported the call of the High Court Bar Association Srinagar.

Addressing the general body meeting the general secretary of the Bar Association G. N. Shaheen said that Advocate Shabir Ahmad Bukhari is reported to have been called on telephone by IGP Kashmir, to present himself before him by 2:00 p.m. May 12, 2018.

“The said advocate is a human rights defender and his arrest seems an interruption in due discharge of the professional duties, besides the assault on freedom of judiciary,” said Shaheen.

The Bar Association demanded immediate and safe release of the Advocate Shabir Ahmad Bukhari forthwith and in case the authorities do not respond, the Bar Association will be forced to take stringent steps at the risk and cost of the State authorities.

The police however said that the lawyer has been detained in Sub Jail Baramulla under orders from a competent magistrate, and denied the claims the phone call to the lawyer from the IGP.

“The subject in question was called to Police Station Kreeri Baramulla and was bound down by magistrate. Police has sufficient ground for this action keeping records and materials available with us. The lawyer’s family was informed,” state police has maintained.

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