Lawyers’ association urges government to strengthen law to prevent attacks on advocates

The Bengaluru Advocates’ Association has urged the State government to strengthen the Karnataka Prohibition of Violence against Advocates Act, 2024, and take stringent measures to prevent attacks and murders of lawyers.

A delegation of office-bearers of the association submitted a memorandum to Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday, seeking immediate action in cases involving violence against advocates.

It demanded the immediate arrest of those accused in the murder of advocate Manjunath and Sriram of Annapoorneshwari Nagar, and the alleged attempt to murder advocate Venkataramana Sannakki in Gauribidanur.

The delegation urged the government to incorporate stringent provisions in the Karnataka Prohibition of Violence against Advocates Act, 2024, make offences under the Act non-bailable and provide for a minimum punishment of 10 years’ imprisonment.

It also called for a Standard Operating Procedure to ensure that lawyers and members of the public visiting police stations are treated with dignity and respect, and sought its implementation across all police stations.

The association further demanded measures to prevent police personnel from unauthorisedly intervening in civil disputes and attempting to settle them. It also sought disciplinary action against officials who fail to comply with Supreme Court directions in this regard.