High Court Demands Police Action on Rising Crimes Against Lawyers in Chandigarh and Mohali
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken serious note of the escalating security concerns for legal professionals in the region. Acting on a formal letter submitted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association, the court has officially requested detailed status reports from both the Chandigarh Police and Punjab Police regarding a disturbing series of attacks and thefts specifically targeting advocates.
Court Intervention and Hearing Schedule
A division bench presided over by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu examined the matter thoroughly. After due consideration of the grave issues raised, the bench has scheduled the next hearing for January 30. This judicial step underscores the court's proactive approach in addressing the safety and security of its officers and the legal fraternity at large.
Bar Association's Detailed Letter of Concern
The issue was formally brought to the court's attention through a comprehensive letter authored by Gagandeep Jammu, the Secretary of the High Court Bar Association. The document meticulously highlighted multiple, serious criminal incidents involving advocates, expressing profound concern over what it described as an alarmingly slow pace of investigation and recovery of stolen property.
The letter presented several specific cases to illustrate the severity of the situation:
- The Krishan Kumar Goyal Case: This tragic incident involved the murder of advocate Goyal's wife and the subsequent looting of a significant quantity of gold, silver, and cash from their residence. While the police have made arrests in the case, the bar association's letter pointed out a critical failure: a substantial portion of the stolen valuables remains unrecovered. This has raised serious questions about the effectiveness and overall fairness of the ongoing investigation.
- The Jasmeet Singh Bhatia Incident: The association cited a brazen daylight theft at the residence of advocate Jasmeet Singh Bhatia. Despite the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) on December 25, 2025, and the reported complete identification of the suspects, the letter states that no arrests have been made and no stolen property has been recovered to date.
- The Vishal Handa Case in Mohali: Another troubling case highlighted pertains to a theft at the Mohali residence of advocate Vishal Handa. The bar association noted with dismay that despite the passage of nearly four months and the identification of the accused individuals, the Mohali police have not yet effected any arrests or managed to recover the stolen items.
Broader Implications and Next Steps
These detailed accounts presented by the bar association paint a picture of a pattern where legal professionals are becoming vulnerable targets, and the subsequent police responses are perceived as inadequate or delayed. The High Court's decision to seek official reports is a significant move aimed at ensuring accountability and expediting justice. It places direct responsibility on the police departments to clarify their investigative actions and timelines. The legal community in Chandigarh and Mohali now awaits the police's status report and the court's further directives on January 30, hoping for decisive action to restore a sense of security.
