Delhi Lawyers on Strike Against LG's Order, One Dies of Heart Attack

Court proceedings in Delhi have been at a complete standstill for the past five days, as lawyers continue their strike against a controversial order issued by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. The protest has intensified after a lawyer, Ravikant Sharma, died of a heart attack during a demonstration at Karkardooma Court.

Why Are Lawyers Protesting?

The flashpoint is a notification issued on August 13 by the Delhi LG, designating video conferencing rooms inside police stations as official venues for recording statements and evidence. Lawyers argue that such a move undermines the independence of the judicial process and could lead to misuse by the police.

Protesting advocates have staged demonstrations across almost every district court in Delhi, including Rouse Avenue, Karkardooma, and Saket courts. Effigies of the LG have also been burnt, and a PIL has been filed in the Delhi High Court challenging the notification.

Lawyers’ Stand

Advocates leading the strike said:

• Allowing testimony from police stations would “compromise justice” and “open the door to arbitrariness.”

• The strike is not for personal benefit but to “protect the impartiality of the judiciary.”

• They have termed the order a “black law”, vowing to continue protests until it is withdrawn completely.

Impact on Judiciary

With the strike entering its fifth day, court work has come to a near halt. Hearings in both civil and criminal matters have been adjourned, causing hardship to litigants.

The situation has put pressure on the Delhi High Court and the central government to step in, as lawyers say they will not resume work until the LG rolls back his decision.