Police protection for petitioner

Jabalpur, Jan 9 (UNI) A petitioner, who challenged lawyers' right to go on strike, has been provided police security by the district administration in the wake of some advocates misbehaving with him.

Dr P G Najpandey had alleged that some lawyers misbehaved with him in the High Court premises when he had gone to collect facts in view of a court order on January 3.

He said he had been provided security during court proceedings by the Superintendent of Police Makrand Deoskar in view of his complaint.

In the wake of lawyers strike on November 2-3 on a call given by the High Court Advocates Association, Dr Najpandey had filed a PIL challenging that lawyers had no right to go on strike.

Hearing the petition, the court on November 8 had put a stay on strike by lawyers of the High Court and lower court.

However, hundreds of lawyers in Madhya Pradesh went on strike on November 28 in view of a call given by MP State Advocate Council Chairman Rameshwar Neekhra to oppose the hike in court fee by the state government.

Dr Najpandey had filed a contempt of court petition against Mr Neekhra. On January 3, the court directed to provide names and addresses of striking lawyers and fixed the next date of hearing on January 15.

In view of the court order, Dr Najpandey was collecting some facts when some lawyers misbehaved with him and threatened him to withdraw the contempt petition.

He submitted his report yesterday amid police protection.

UNI