It is rare for police to protest. On 5/11/2019 police gathered in front of Delhi Police Headquarters. Family members of police joined them. The protest lasted 11 hours. It ended after promise of review petition against Delhi High Court order on Tis Hazari incident, medical assistance to injured policemen and 25,000 rupees ex-gratia payment to injured policemen.
On Saturday, 2/11/2109 at Tis Hazari court a lawyer refused to follow the instruction of a policeman regarding parking of his vehicle. Soon there were clashes between lawyers and police. Many policemen were beaten up. Lawyers set fire to some vehicles. There was lathi charge. Some lawyers were injured.
On Sunday 3/11/2109, a holiday, Delhi High Court ordered suspension of two police officers and transfer of two police officers, a judicial inquiry and directed that no coercive action against lawyers. This angered police. Special Commissioner of Police Sanjay Singh and Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Harinder Singh were transferred. Justice (retd) S. P. Garg was appointed to conduct judicial inquiry into Tis Hazari court incident.
On 4/11/2109 lawyers thrashed a policeman at Saket Court.
Bar Council of India condemned hooliganism by lawyers. However it does not want any trial of a lawyer in a criminal case. Lawyers who committed crimes like arson and thrashing police should be tried.
Delhi Police is under central government. It reports to Lieutenant Governor. Home Minister Amit Shah is said to be unhappy about the protest and how it was handled.
Protesting police persons remembered Kiran Bedi who had refused to succumb to pressure from lawyers and suspend police officers. When lawyers were out of control she had ordered lathi charge.
When lawyers go on strike cases in courts should proceed without them. If policemen are not safe they can not protect others. Lawyers are not above the law. Lawyers who commit crimes should face the consequences.
