NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant’s verbal intervention led to the release of lawyers detained during protests in the Supreme Court area on Saturday, after the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) sought his urgent intervention over allegations of excessive police force against advocates.“Yes, on my verbal intervention, I believe they have been released. I am out of town,” the CJI told ANI.The CJI was apprised of the matter by the SCBA, the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. He subsequently spoke to the authorities, following which the detained lawyers were released.SCBA president Pradeep Rai thanked the CJI for his intervention, saying the association had been informed that all the lawyers had been released. He also said he had spoken to Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma, who assured him that, according to the information available to him, no lawyer had been detained. Sharma further assured him that anyone found to be in custody would be released immediately once their details were provided.“We are grateful to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India for his timely intervention and for directing the immediate release of the lawyers. His intervention is deeply appreciated,” Rai wrote on X.In a letter to the CJI on Saturday, SCBA honorary secretary Pragya Baghel sought urgent action to ascertain the whereabouts and safety of all detained advocates. The association also called for immediate access to legal assistance and the release of those against whom there were no lawful grounds for detention. It further sought an examination of the reported use of force and appropriate action in accordance with the law.The letter enclosed an SCBA resolution expressing “grave concern” over the reported detention of advocates participating in peaceful protests in the Supreme Court area.“The Supreme Court Bar Association resolves to request the Chief Justice of India to intervene urgently and take up the matter with the concerned authorities,” the resolution stated. Detentions in Delhi amid CJP protestThe incident unfolded amid a sweeping security crackdown in Delhi ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Delhi Police had denied permission for the protest, citing inadequate notice and concerns over compliance with rules during an earlier demonstration.Police detained CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and other party leaders after their flight from Mumbai landed in Delhi. YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, several Opposition leaders, activists, journalists and other protesters were also detained as police attempted to prevent demonstrators from reaching Jantar Mantar.
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More than 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed across the capital, with 45 metro stations closed, traffic diversions imposed and extensive barricading put in place. Police said more than 500 protesters had been detained by noon.The crackdown drew sharp criticism from Opposition leaders, including AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, who described the situation as “worse than the Emergency”. The CJP had called the demonstration over allegations of voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and changes relating to Form 6, used for voter registration.
