Judges go on strike against lawyers’ attack on colleague

LAHORE

Judges of all the subordinate courts of Lahore including civil and sessions judges Tuesday observed unannounced strike for the whole day after a group of lawyers abused a civil judge, thrashed his court staffer and snatched court files from the judge. 

The incident happened just after start of judicial day around 8:45 am.

A group of lawyers led by Advocate Aqeel misbehaved with Civil Judge Waseem Ahmad who was holding court proceedings in his court.

After the incident, all the judges of subordinate judiciary went on an unannounced strike and remained in their chambers till the end of judicial day.

Moreover, Civil Judge Waseem Ahmed has filed an application before a sessions judge to register a criminal case against the advocate and his accomplices under Anti-terrorism Act.

A video showing lawyers’ abuse and attack on the judge also went viral on social websites after the incident. 

Our correspondent adds: Judicial Magistrate Asif Ali on Tuesday awarded four-month jail term to one Farooq Azam on the charges of taking away a motorbike.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs2,000 on the convict. In case of default in payment of fine the convict will face further jail term.

Gawalmandi police presented challan before judicial magistrate pleading that Farooq Azam took away a bike from the Gawalmandi area.

The defence counsel argued that police have implicated his client in a fake case as there was no solid evidence of his client’s involvement.

However, the prosecution, opposed defence’s arguments saying that the accused was guilty as a motorcycle was discovered from his possession and later he was taken into police custody. The prosecution requested the court to punish Farooq under Section 381 of Pakistan Penal Code. After hearing both sides, the judge awarded four-month jail and a fine of Rs2,000.