Police To Be Given Soft Skill Training: Rajasthan High Court Asks For Status On Departmental Action Against Cops For Allegedly Misbehaving With Lawyers
The Rajasthan High Court took note of the incident recorded in a viral video reflecting that the concerned SHO had misbehaved with the lawyers.
Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, Justice Baljinder Singh Sandhu, Rajasthan High Court (Jodhpur Bench)
While considering a matter of assault of lawyers by the police, the Rajasthan High Court has asked the Commissioner to give a report on the departmental action taken against the concerned officials. The High Court further held that the police officials are required to be given thorough soft skill training.
The High Court took note of the incident recorded in a viral video reflecting that the concerned SHO had misbehaved with the lawyers.
The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Baljinder Singh Sandhu held, “The police officials are required to be given thorough soft skill training and as assured by the Commissioner of Police, training would be provided not only to the officials at the Commissionerate of Jodhpur but to the other officials also and we expect him to inform about this aspect to the police academy where the police officers are trained. The present incident should reach to a logical conclusion.”
Senior Advocate Sachin Acharya represented the Petitioner, while Additional Advocate General Mahaveer Bishnoi represented the Respondent.
Factual Background
A news item published in the daily newspaper ‘Dainik Bhaskar’ was brought to the Court’s notice, which related to the manhandling and misbehaviour by the SHO, Police Station, Kudi Bhagtasani, Jodhpur. It was stated that a lawyer with his wife had gone to the Police Station along with a rape victim. The concerned lawyer went to complain to the SHO, who, instead of redressing the complaint, misbehaved and manhandled the lawyer and shoved him in a room. The lawyer also demanded that the victim should not be called several times to the police station. His wife, a lady lawyer, insisted that they had a right to demand proper recording of the statement and also requested not to manhandle her husband. A lady constable also tried to remove her from the place. A video of the incident was shown to the Court.
Reasoning
The Bench noted that the incident, which was recorded in the viral video, reflected that the concerned SHO had actually misbehaved and, as suggested by the Commissioner, needed to be trained in soft skills. The Commissioner had assured the Court of conducting an inquiry in the matter, and if required, departmental proceedings would be initiated against the concerned officials, who were responsible for misbehaving with the lawyers.
Taking note of the unfortunate incident, the Bench mentioned that the lawyer community has been agitated by such an incident. Highlighting how advocates and police personnel are two limbs of the same justice delivery system and are to act in tandem with each other, the Bench stated, “The present incident which has been brought to our knowledge reflects lack of coordination between the two wings of administration of justice. The police officials are required to be given thorough soft skill training...”
The Bench thus asked the Commissioner to give a report on the next date regarding the departmental action taken against the concerned officials who were present at the time of the incident, including the SHO and other constables and staff.
Reference was also made to the judgment in Bharat Yadav v. State of Rajasthan (2019) where the High Court had ordered the formation of a Coordination Committee at each district level to deal with grievances of advocates so that the matters may not have to travel up to the High Court. Considering the fact that the Coordination Committee had not been actively performing its work, the Bench directed the Coordination Committee at each district to be formed afresh.
The Commissioner assured the Court that the action against the concerned officials would be taken immediately. The matter has now been listed on December 8, 2025.
Cause Title: Rajasthan High Court Advocates’ Association v. State Of Rajasthan (Case No.: D.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 23646/2025)
Appearance
Petitioner: Senior Advocate Sachin Acharya, Senior Advocates Sunil Purohit, Anand Purohit, Advocates Digvijay Singh Jasol, Sushil Bishnoi, Ratna Ram Tholiya, Shubham Modi, Manish Tak, Anita Gehlot, Deepika Soni, Rishi Soni, Rajesh Parihar, KL Bishnoi, Deepika Purohit, Deendayal Purohit, Rakesh Kalla
Respondent: Addl. Advocate General Mahaveer Bishnoi, Senior Advocates Gaurav Bishnoi, Rajesh Panwar, Advocates Ayush Gehlot, Monal Chug, Addl. Advocate General BL Bhati, Advocate Deepak Chandak, Addl. Advocate General Praveen Khandelwal, Advocate Arpit Samaria, Addl. Advocate General SS Rathore, Addl. Advocate General ICR Choudhary, Addl. Advocate General Ravindra Jala, SS Ladrecha