New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Monday made it clear that “goonda raj” (rule of thugs) is unacceptable and asked a lawyer, who alleged he was assaulted inside a courtroom of a Delhi district court on February 7, to speak to the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.
The lawyer mentioned the matter for urgent hearing before a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and NV Anjaria.
The lawyer said, “I was appearing in the court of ADJ (Additional District Judge) Harjeet Singh Pal at Tis Hazari Court. I was appearing for the accused. The complainant’s lawyer, along with several goons, attacked me… They beat me up, and the judge was sitting there. All the court staff were present.”
The bench noted that the incident occurred on February 7 and asked the lawyer if he had brought the matter to the attention of the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.
The CJI asked the lawyer to write a letter to the Chief Justice and also mark a copy to him. The CJI said, “Let the Chief Justice of the High Court take cognizance. Action will be taken by the administration. This kind of ‘goonda raj’ is not acceptable to us. It means the rule of law has failed. Do this and let me know…”
The Supreme Court told the lawyer to approach the High Court having jurisdiction.
