Advocates boycott courts

Chennai, Mar 17 (UNI) Tension prevailed in the Chennai Egmore Metropolitan Magistrate Court premises here today when agitating advocates boycotted courts, staged dharnas and assaulted a policeman.

The advocates demanded action against a policeman for allegedly assaulting and abusing an advocate last evening.

The functioning of about ten courts in the premises, including the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court, additional CMM court and EOW court, were affected following a boycott call given by the advocates today, police sources told UNI.

A senior advocate Michael Raj was allegedly assaulted and abused by a policeman at Kilpuak area in the city when the latter questioned him for violating traffic rules. The advocate, later, filed a complaint with the police demanding action against him. But, the policeman claimed he was attacked by the advocate.

Condemning the police action, about 25 advocates, owing allegiance to Mr Raj, staged a dharna in the Egmore court premises this morning demanding action against the erring policeman. They were led by advocates, Kabilian and Saravanan.

They also asked the 250-odd advocates, practising in Egmore courts, to boycott court proceedings and urged the Magistrates to retire to their Chambers.

Meanwhile, head constable Sekar from the Government estate police station, who came to the court premises, enquired about the situation.

The enraged advocates, suddenly jostled the policeman and attacked him. After Sekar fled the scene, the advocates blocked traffic outside the court premises for some time to press their demand.

However, they dispersed later stating that their boycott of courts will continue.

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