Shillong, Aug 3: High Court of Meghalaya has followed up the attack on the lawyer accused of molesting an intern and the safety of women advocates and interns.
During the hearing of the matter on Monday (Aug 3), the division bench comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Judge W Diengdoh observed that the government affidavit discloses that pursuant to the FIR, four persons belonging to HNYF were arrested and that investigation is still in progress. The FIR was registered on July 3. The Advocate who was assaulted by a group comprising members of the HNYF was sent for a medical checkup to Shillong Medical College, Civil Hospital,Shillong. From the medico-legal papers, it appears that the Advocate, on whom violence was perpetrated, has been punched in his left cheek and jaw and that swelling was seen on his left cheek and lower lips and history of pain in the right knee.
It appears that there was loss of consciousness for about 5 to 10
minutes. NCCT head and face with 3D reconstruction report was advised. It further appears from the affidavit that the police have collected and preserved the
digital footage starting from Keating Road till Sadar Police station.
Since, there was a press briefing given by non-state actors within the precincts of the police station, the Superintendent of
Police has issued a standing departmental prohibition upon press
briefings by non-state actors within the limits of police premises.
“We expect that the Director General of Police, Meghalaya also issues such a direction or standing orders to all Police Stations, so as to ensure that Police Stations/Prisons cannot be used for
press briefing by any political parties/NGOs, etc., other than the
police”, the court said.
At this stage, K. Paul, Senior Advocate submitted that the Bar Council of Meghalaya had held a meeting on July 31 and that they have issued certain directions to all Bar Associations within the State of Meghalaya. He submits that the Bar Council of Meghalaya is committed to the safety and dignity
of women Advocates practicing within the state as well as young
lady interns and as such, will be coming up with some mechanism to address the issue. He too seeks time to place
on affidavit the steps that the Bar Council of Meghalaya has taken and intends to take to address the safety and dignity of practicing lady Advocates and young lady interns.
“Considering the larger issue, we deem it appropriate to direct the petitioners to implead the Bar Council of Meghalaya as
well as the Bar Council of India, as party respondents so as to enable them to place their respective responses, in terms of addressing the safety and dignity of practicing women Advocates/girl interns in various courts”, the court said.
