HC seeks additional solicitor general’s help in PIL regarding protection to advocates

Kolhapur: The Bombay high court's Kolhapur bench has sought additional solicitor general of India's assistance in a PIL regarding protection of advocates amid rising incidents of attacks on them.The lawyers representing the petitioners Kolhapur district bar association (KDBA) and others had sought the court's permission to implead the central govt as they want the latter to make its position clear on the Advocates Protection Bill, which is a long-pending demand of the lawyers.The bench of Justice Madhav Jamdar and Justice Pravin S Patil on Monday allowed the petitioners to implead the central govt and said, "In view of the important issue raised in Public Interest Litigation regarding the frequent assault on advocate, Mr.Anil Singh, learned Additional Solicitor General of India is requested to assist the court."The matter has been posted next hearing on Wednesday, petitioners' advocate Swaroop Karade told TOI.Apart from the KDBA, the Kolhapur High Court Bench Action Committee; the High Court Bar Association Kolhapur Circuit Bench and the Advocate's Association of Western India Kolhapur Bench (Proposed) are the other petitioners, who approached HC seeking police protection and security in and around the Kolhapur district court premises in the wake of the alleged assault in March on a woman lawyer by the wife of litigant who had filed divorce application.According to the PIL, Bar Council of India has proposed Advocates (Protection) Bill, 2021, which defines the act of violence, proposes punishment-mandatory imprisonment of six months and fine of Rs 1 lakh upon first offence, offence registering as cognizable and non-bailable and investigation by officers not below the rank of Superintendent of Police.