PRESS STATEMENT
New Delhi, 26th May 2014
On Thursday the 22nd May 2014, at around 10:00 PM, a woman, hailing from Nagaland was molested near the Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station When the victim resisted him and tried to catch hold of him, the accused also slapped her. Few people, who saw this incident, overpowered the molester and handed him over to the police. At the police station it was revealed that the accused is lawyer from Tis Hazari Courts. The NSUD president was then informed about the incident and he assisted the victim in the police station. An FIR was registered making offences under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The Accused was taken into police custody.
On the next day the accused was produced before the court of Court of Mrs. Mona .I. Karkelta, Ld. M.M (Room No- 273). The victim was accompanied by the NSUD President with two of his executives as an expression of solidarity with her. The victim was represented by a lawyer appointed by Delhi Legal Services Authority. The accused and his group of colleagues apparently lawyers started taunting the victim and her friends including the victim’s lawyer. There was a huge pandemonium in the court room with 10/20 lawyers threatening/ intimidating the victim, her lawyer and others who were with the victim.
The NSUD President was slapped in the presence of the Ld Magistrate by one of the lawyers . The police and the Court officials intervened but no firm action was taken against the assaulters. Fearing the safety of victim and her own security, the DSLA lawyer called another DSLA lawyer Ms. Liyi for support in the hostile atmosphere.. On her arrival, Adv Ms Liyi was also threatened by the mob of lawyers. The victim and her lawyer were moved to another Court under safety for recording the statement of the victim while the mob continued to swell in the court room.
The police personnel came to the rescue and tried to escort Adv Liyi and victim’s friends out of the court room. This did not deter the violent and belligerent group of lawyers who escalated their force by chasing Adv Liyi and victim’s friends around the court room. It is important to note that those who were accompanying the victim were targeted only because they were helping a victim of molestation to get justice.
With much difficulty and with the help of police assistance, Advocate Liyi and the victim’s friends could reach the Police Chowki Tiz Hazari Court though the mob tried to intimidate the police personnel to withdraw their protection. However, after few minutes of waiting at the Police Chowki, police told Advocate Liyi and the victim’s friends that it is safe to leave the Police Chowki. However, as they left the Chowki there was a mob that was waiting to attack and assault them.
All of them started to run to save their lives as the mob of advocates of the accused chased them saying that they will not allow Northeastern people go alive from here today. The accompanying male friends of the victim also ran for their life however one of them sustained severe injuries and was bleeding through the mouth and nose. He was later taken to the hospital.
Even the lady Advocate Liyi accompanying them was not spared by the mob of lawyers as she was chased and slapped until two Police constables rescued her from any further harm being inflicted on her.
Simultaneous with these happening inside the court room, another unfortunate incident was taking place outside the court room. The Zeliangrong Students’ Union President had also come to the court to attend the hearing of the above stated case, he along with his friends was not allowed to enter the court room and hence they were sitting outside.
A lawyer approached him, asking if his other North Eastern friends are joining them. As soon as he answered yes, a mob of about 20/30 advocates attacked him physically. He was slapped and then the mob attacked him. He was kicked and stamped on. His ears and nose were bleeding. Even the policeman who dared to protect them was also beaten up. The attached photograph is a testimony to this brutal assault on him.
The molestation and the criminal intimidation and assault on the people of North East States is an attack having racial contours and calls for strict and immediate action by the judiciary and law enforcing agency to protect of vulnerable groups. The conduct of this lawyer and the mob of lawyers supporting him show not only scant regard for the judicial process but also contempt of the Court.
Besides the assault on fellow lady advocates for the victim to deter and intimidate victims from taking recourse to legal recourse should not be tolerated by the judiciary and law administration. If lawyers are not safe in the Courts, then it is a very poor reflection on the state of judicial administration.
A few delinquent lawyers cannot be permitted to take law into their own hands and bypass the well-established judicial process. This calls for the introduction of strict law against racial discrimination and ensure that there is rule of law so that faith in judiciary is reestablished.
Released by
David Boyes
Convener, NEIFAR
Contact : 9953685279
For North East Community, Delhi
