Madras High Court advocates boycott court proceedings

Chennai, Feb 18 (PTI) The Madras High Court wore a desertedlook today as advocates abstained from work demanding actionagainst the police officials who they alleged were responsiblefor clashes between lawyers and police two years ago.

In the High Court premises, members of Madras High CourtAdvocates Association, Women Lawyers Association and TamilNadu Advocates Association took out a procession shoutingslogans to press their demand.

They also staged a protest outside the court premises.

Advocates of the High Court and subordinate courts marked thesecond anniversary of the day of the clashes on Feb 19, 2009as a ''Black Day''.

Madras High Court Advocates Association President, R C PaulKanagaraj, said the "brutal attack" on innocent lawyers bypolice was "ever unforgettable".

"For the past two years we have been fighting for thecause. Till today we have not got justice," he said, addingthe court order to take action against four police officialshas not been implimented by the State government.

The century-old Madras High court premises had virtuallyturned into a war zone two years ago when a large number ofadvocates, agitating on Sri Lankan Tamils issue, clashed withpolice over the arrest of some lawyers accused of assaultingJanata Party chief Subramanian Swamy.

A judge, many police personnel and advocates, includingsome women, were injured in stone-throwing incidents and thesubsequent lathicharge by police.