Lucknow:
Terming the murder of an advocate inside Allahabad court as “condemnable and extremely shameful,” Opposition parties today created uproar in Uttar Pradesh Assembly leading to disruptions in proceedings.
The parties demanded probe by a sitting judge and strict action against the guilty. They also asked for raising the compensation to kin of the lawyer from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.
As soon as the House met for the day, Leader of Opposition Swami Prasad Maurya raised the matter and termed the incident an example of “police terror” and demanded a discussion on it.
BJP and Congress members too made similar demand and requested for a discussion on the matter.
Speaker Mata Prasad Pandey adjourned the Question Hour for 25 minutes due to the uproar, while BSP and Congress members staged a Walkout.
BJP leader Suresh Kumar Khanna alleged that the state government was shying away from the discussion to hide its incapabilities.
Later, the issue was again raised during Zero hour through different notices by the opposition members.
BSP leader Maurya said that how could people trust police when its sub-inspector could kill a lawyer in court premises.
“The entire lawyer fraternity is on war path after this incident and are protesting against it. They have gone on strike and people are running to get justice in their absence. There should be a judicial probe in the matter and the guilty Sub-Inspector should immediately be arrested,” he said.
BJP’s Suresh Kumar Khanna, CLP leader Pradeep Mathur, RLD leader Dalvir Singh, and others said that the way in which the lawyer was killed raises serious questions on functioning of the government.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mohd Azam Khan said: “We have not yet received report from the Home Department in this regard but whatever facts have come are matter of concern not only for the government but for entire society.”
“We were not on the spot but it’s a fact that due to fire from service revolver of sub-inspector an innocent lawyer had died. A SI should have more tolerance than any other person,” he said.
On demand of judicial probe, Khan said that Opposition should give time to the government to act.
“If you (Opposition) are not satisfied then we will consider whatever you say. The act of SI could not be pardoned. Strict action will be taken,” he assured the House.
Khan also appealed to the agitating lawyers to end their protest and requested Opposition to use their contacts in this regard.
An advocate was killed and another seriously injured when allegedly a police sub-inspector opened fire in self-defence inside the district court premises, following which lawyers went on a rampage, hurling stones at police and administrative officials and resorting to arson.
