Catch the arsonists torching lawyers’ cars: HC to police

New Delhi, Jan 30 (PTI) The Delhi High Court today asked the police to resolve and act against those involved in the recent arson attacks on the properties of lawyers in the national capital.A bench o

New Delhi, Jan 30 (PTI) The Delhi High Court today asked the police to resolve and act against those involved in the recent arson attacks on the properties of lawyers in the national capital.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar directed the police to find out the culprits involved in setting fire to the vehicles of some senior lawyers, including Kirti Uppal, the president of Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA).

“We have tremendous confidence in the police. I am sure that the police will resolve the issue,” it observed after it was informed that today, an advocate received a hoax call warning of a bomb threat in the Delhi High Court.

It directed the police to file a status report about the steps they have taken regarding the incidents of arson attacks before the next date of hearing on February 8.

Delhi Police standing counsel Rahul Mehra informed the court that the probe in connection with the incidents, that had occurred on January 4, 9 and 22, has been transferred to the special cell.

Mehra, however, submitted that the report with regard to the forensic analysis of the evidence gathered from the site of the attacks is awaited.

The lawyers, who have been at the receiving end of the arson attacks are those who had represented a woman lawyer, who was allegedly assaulted by policemen and dragged out of her house, after a stalking case was lodged against her by a woman purportedly over a property dispute.

On January 9 and 22, arson attacks were carried out on the properties and cars of senior advocates Vikas Pahwa and Kirti Uppal, by using inflammable substances.

Uppal’s Hyundai Tucson car that was parked outside his house in south Delhi’s Nizamuddin West was set on fire by unidentified miscreants.

On January 4, two cars — a Maruti Swift and a Honda Amaze — parked in the east Delhi house of advocate Ravi Sharma were allegedly torched by unidentified persons.

The court was hearing the plea filed by Delhi High Court Bar Association seeking a court-monitored SIT probe into the incidents. The association has also sought appointment of a special investigator to probe the case.

This is published unedited from the PTI feed.