Members of the District Bar Associations of Delhi will be abstaining from work today as a mark of protest against the heinous murder of a practicing Advocate.

A 53-year-old Advocate, Virender Kumar Narwal was shot dead in broad daylight on April 1. The Incident took place in Dwarka. The deceased was enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi and was practicing in Delhi Courts. He was travelling in his personal vehicle when two assailants came and shot him.

An FIR has been registered under Section 302 Indian Penal Code and the Delhi Police have started investigating the incident.

Speaking to Verdictum, Advocate O.N. Sharma, Secretary of the New Delhi Bar Association said, "SHO Aashish Dubey in the last conversation, assured us that they will take appropriate action. We requested them to grant protection to the Lawyer's family as well".

He recalled "...an attack on him was done in 2017 after which, he was granted protection. But due to Covid, it was lifted. According to the information we have received, the authorities have identified the assailants. The reason for the crime is said to be personal".

Moreover, he also told Verdictum that virtual meetings are being conducted by the Executive Committees of the District Bar Associations in order to discuss the issue. He said, ".....I am also a coordinator of the District Bar Association Committee which has been discussing the matter virtually, we have conducted a meeting on April 1st and April 2nd with the support of the High Court Bar Association and the Chairman of the Bar Council of Delhi to discuss the matter in hand."

According to him, the Committee has decided to seek a law for the protection of Advocates. Mr. Sharma said, ".....we will meet and represent our stance before the government and discuss bringing the Advocates' Protection Bill as soon as possible, like in Rajasthan, so that Advocates can work fearlessly in their workplaces and in Courtrooms".

Calling it an attack on the legal fraternity, he said, "....This is an attack on the entire legal fraternity. We only have three demands. First, assailants should be arrested and probed. Secondly, granting protection to the family so that no such attack happens again and thirdly, the implementation of the Advocate Protection Act".

Kanchan B