Chief Justice of India RM lodha has sought explanation from Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi on a complaint by a woman lawyer who was battered by policemen inside a South Delhi police station where she had gone to serve a court order in a property dispute case.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the “gravity” of the matter, a bench headed by CJ directed Delhi Police Commissioner to submit to the apex court the action taken report on the complaint filed by the lawyer on April 14. A bench headed by CJI lodha even asked DCP of East District, where the lawyer resides, to provide her safety as the lawyer complained of being constantly harassed by goons, seeking her to withdraw the complaint. The matter was brought to the notice of the court by way of a letter written by the woman lawyer, who was backed by SC Women lawyers Association and Bar Association.
Senior advocate Vijay Hansaria, who assisted the Court as amicus curiae pointed out that the incident occurred on April 4 when the lawyer and her clerk visited lajpat Nagar police station to serve a stay order obtained from Saket court in relation to a property dispute. The policemen inside the station were found together with henchmen of an influential person against whom she had gone to serve the court’s order, the letter written to CJI said. The matter was brought to the notice of Commissioner of Police on April 14. Finding no action been taken on the complaint, the bench said, “We are informed that despite four weeks of the complaint, no action or steps have been taken by the Commissioner of Police.” She complained she was dragged and beaten at the behest of the influential man inside the PS with the police officers being mute witnesses.