The lawyers of Gajapati district held demonstration at Master Canteen Square here condemning illegal arrest of an advocate and implicating him in fabricates cases.
Upendra Nayak, a practising lawyer, was picked up late on February 20 late night from his home by the Paralakhemundi police and sent to the R Udaygiri jail next day. He was charged with serious offences such as sedition, waging war against the State and activities that come under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The agitators said that the issue not only relates to the harassment of an individual advocate, but also raises larger issue of fundamental rights of the lawyers in general to freely and fearlessly choose their profession guaranteed under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India.
“We strongly believe that the arrest of Nayak is a deliberate attempt to create a sense of fear amongst the lawyer community,” they said and demanded immediate and unconditional release of Nayak.