New Delhi, June 4 (IANS) People thronging the five district courts in the capital had a tough time Thursday as lawyers went on a day-long strike to protest the abduction of a colleague three days ago and to demand better security.
The lawyers decided to protest after a lawyer filed a First Information Report (FIR) alleging that he was abducted from the Karkardooma court premises by unidentified men on Monday due to mistaken identity. Lawyer Harish Sharma was later set free by the kidnappers when they realised they had picked up the wrong person.

Mahesh Chand Sharma, member of the coordination committee of the All Bar Associations of Delhi, said: “The court premises are visited by all sorts of people including criminals. Over the last few days, incidents of violence against lawyers have increased due to absence of proper security arrangements.”

Following the strike, most lawyers abstained from appearing in courts and the matters listed were adjourned. In a few cases, however, some advocates were seen appearing in court to argue bail matters.

A meeting of the bar associations of Tis Hazari, Patiala House, Karkardooma, Rohini and Dwarka was held Wednesday in which it was decided that the lawyers would observe a day-long strike.

Lawyers are demanding setting up of permanent police posts in the five district court premises, besides frisking of visitors.

New Delhi Bar Association president Santosh Mishra said: “Our agitation is aimed at highlighting the poor security arrangement in the lower courts.”

“It is an utmost lapse of security when armed assailants enter the court premises and nobody gets to know. We live under constant threat and want the authorities to beef up security,” Mishra added.