MP: Brinda condemns attack on lawyer

Bhopal, Oct 4: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has condemned the attack by Hindu outfit workers on a lawyer at the court premises at Dhar in Madhya Pradesh for appearing as the defence lawyer in a case against alleged terrorist.

''Mr Noor Muhammad was manhandled, slapped and abused by a group of people identified by a television channel as those belonging to Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad'', CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat said, adding even now he was being threatened.

In a letter to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the CPI-M leader said the lawyer was attacked earlier in July and an FIR was also lodged, but no action had been taken. This had emboldened the attackers.

Pointing out that the country was united against the crime of terror and for strictest punishment to terrorists, Mrs Karat said it was shocking and shameful that a senior advocate was meted out such a treatment and the attackers were still roaming freely. Those responsible for the attack should be arrested and protection was provided to the lawyer, she added.

''Indeed, even the strictest of anti-terror laws anywhere in the world do not deny the right to defence of those accused of even the most savage terror attacks'', Mrs Karat added.

UNI