New Video Shows Woman Cop Attacked by Lawyers at Tis Hazari

A Delhi Police personnel displays a placard during a protest on 5 November against the alleged repeated incidents of alleged violence against the police by lawyers. 

(Photo: PTI)

Video Producer: Kavisha Manwani
Video Editor: Mohd Irshad Alam

Visuals from the Tis Hazari court clashes between lawyers and the Delhi police show a mob of lawyers attacking a female police officer, who was pleading to them with folded hands to not indulge in violence. She, however, along with her colleagues, was attacked by the lawyers.

The National Commission for Women (NCW), on Friday, 8 November, also sought an immediate probe into the alleged attack on the woman police officer during the clashes last week.

In a letter to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik, the NCW said that an audio of the woman's personal security officer (PSO) and a 1:40 minute long video corroborates the case. "The video shows that the woman officer was faced with a tough situation when a group of lawyers tried to grab her collar and charge at her," NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma said in the letter. The officer had to be "escorted" out of the spot with difficulty, according to Sharma.

“The commission strongly condemns such an incident and urges that the matter be thoroughly investigated. I, therefore, request you (Delhi police commissioner) to take immediate steps to inquire into the matter for appropriate action at the earliest.”

Rekha Sharma, Chairman, National Commission for Women (NCW)

CCTV camera footage is being examined and appropriate legal action will be taken in the woman officer's case, the sources said.

In one of the many videos that surfaced following the incident, lawyers are seen purportedly harassing the woman officer, who is flanked by other police personnel and trying to control a group of lawyers.

Later, she can be seen running and some lawyers trying to catch hold of her while some policemen try to shield her.

The Crime Branch's Special Investigation Team, which is probing the Tis Hazari clashes, is in the process of recording the statements of all the officers who were part of controlling the crowd on Saturday, according to a senior police official.

Videos Show Lawyers Allegedly Assaulting Cops

In another video, lawyers can be seen barging inside the administrative area of the court and assaulting policemen. A group of lawyers can be seen in another CCTV grab trying to set a vehicle ablaze while police personnel are throwing water to disperse them, even as a man suspected to be from the legal fraternity can be seen threatening police personnel by brandishing a metal chain.

The same person in another video is seen allegedly threatening the policeman who was apparently recording a video of one of the incidents.

In the third video, some lawyers can be seen trying to break open the lock-up inside the court complex after the policemen took one of the advocates inside the lock-up following the tiff.

The SIT is examining all the CCTV camera footage as part of the FIR registered following the violence and appropriate legal action will be taken in the matter after a thorough investigation, the senior officer said.