The Telangana government has issued a circular directing district collectors, superintendents of police and police commissioners of Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Warangal to ensure that judicial work is not hampered and judges remain safe in the state. The measure has been taken in view of the ongoing agitation by advocates over the bifurcation of the high court between the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and allocation of judicial officers between the two states.
Striking advocates have been indulging in activities, such as locking the gates of the court buildings, intimidating judges, using abusive language, etc.
The circular was sent at the behest of The Registrar General of the High Court who cited the Supreme Court ruling in the 2002 case, Harish Uppal vs Union Of India. In this case, the Supreme Court held “that lawyers have no right to go on strike or give a call for boycott”.
The government circular seeks help from the police in implementing the order in court premises by ensuring that only lawyers whose names are on the cause list are allowed to enter. The police has also been instructed to ensure that advocates should not be permitted to shout slogans in the court corridors.
India Legal Bureau