The Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association has decided to call off its protest and resume normal court work from Friday, December 19. This decision comes after the authorities accepted and fulfilled the key demands put forth by the lawyers' body, bringing a swift resolution to the standoff.
Key Demands Accepted by Authorities
In an official notice issued by the association's honorary secretary, Gagandeep Jammu, on Thursday, it was confirmed that all their demands had been met. The central point of the dispute involved action against police officials. The Bar Association stated that officials from CIA-1, Hisar, have now been formally added as accused in the First Information Report (FIR) related to the incident that sparked the protest.
Furthermore, the legal framework of the case has been strengthened. Relevant sections of the law, including provisions from the stringent Arms Act, have been incorporated into the FIR. This was a significant demand from the lawyers, seeking a more serious legal approach to the allegations.
Administrative Action Against Police Officials
Beyond legal proceedings, the Bar Association also sought administrative accountability. This demand has also been addressed promptly. The concerned Station House Officer (SHO) has been transferred to the Police Lines, effectively removing him from his current post of authority.
In addition to the transfer, the competent authorities have initiated departmental proceedings against the SHO. This two-pronged action—legal and departmental—signals a comprehensive response to the grievances raised by the legal fraternity.
Protest Concluded, Work to Resume
With the confirmation of these actions, the Bar Association declared the issue resolved. The notice explicitly stated, “With all the demands raised by the association having been fulfilled, the issue stands resolved and work shall resume tomorrow.”
The swift resolution underscores the impact of the collective action taken by the lawyers. The suspension of work at the High Court had created a backlog, and its resumption from December 19 will allow the judicial machinery to return to normalcy, ensuring that the interests of litigants are not further hampered.
