Ahmedabad Lawyers Protest Outside Metropolitan Court Over Public Prosecutor’s Conduct

Tensions prevailed at the Metropolitan Magistrate Court No. 14 in Gheekanta after a group of lawyers staged a protest, alleging that the Public Prosecutor had acted in a manner that favoured the accused during the hearing of an assault case.

The lawyers gathered outside the Public Prosecutor’s office and staged a dharna, shouting slogans and banging plates in protest against the alleged conduct.

Bar Association Secretary Bharat Shah said the incident took place on September 21 during the hearing of the assault case. According to him, complainant’s lawyer Rajubhai Bhavsar was seated in the rear section of the courtroom when he allegedly noticed the Public Prosecutor writing down questions for the defence lawyer to use during cross-examination.

Shah alleged that the Public Prosecutor was also advising the defence on how to question the complainant and what specific inquiries could be made to corner the complainant during cross-examination.

Complainant’s Lawyer Raises Objection In Court

After noticing the alleged conduct, Bhavsar immediately stood up and brought the matter to the Magistrate’s attention.

He objected that the Public Prosecutor was allegedly assisting the accused instead of advancing the complainant’s case and requested that the objection be officially recorded in the proceedings.

According to the lawyers, the Magistrate suggested that a written application be submitted. However, they alleged that the written objection was not formally taken on record, while the cross-examination was allowed to continue.

The incident reportedly led to dissatisfaction among members of the Bar, following which Bhavsar informed the Bar Association about the matter.

Lawyers Stage Dharna, Bang Plates

Following the complaint, a large number of lawyers gathered outside the Public Prosecutor’s office and staged a protest.

The lawyers sat in a dharna, raised slogans and banged plates to register their opposition to the alleged conduct of the Public Prosecutor.

Bhavsar said complaints had also been made against the Public Prosecutor in the past.

The lawyers said written representations regarding the matter would be submitted to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, the Gujarat High Court and the Director of Prosecution.

The allegations raised during the protest are subject to consideration by the concerned authorities.