Handwara: Bar Association Handwara staged a protest against the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) and Sub-registrar for their alleged misbehavior against the Bar members.
Scores of the lawyers assembled outside the ADC Handwara’s office and alleged the officers of turning blind eye to public grievances. The lawyers are reportedly on strike against the sub-district administration.
“The ADC and Sub-registrar have never shown any interest in listening to the grievances,” the members told Free Press Kashmir, alleging the public and lawyers suffer because of the said officers’ “callous attitude”.
The Bar members believe that Sub-registrar is “not competent” enough to hold the position as he, according to the members who spoke to Free Press Kashmir, has failed to address the grievances of the members.
The members said that the officers often give “lame excuses” to avoid the work.
However, this is not the first time the members are on road, the protests were held in past as well.
One of the lawyers, G N Khan said that the Handwara Bar Association president Ghulam Nabi Kaboo was earlier “manhandled” by the Sub-registrar after he went to meet him at his office.
According to Khan, the officer also misbehaved with another lawyer Tanveer Ahmad, when he had gone to file an appeal in his office.
The lawyers said that Sub-registrar is “targeting” the lawyers for the reasons known to him only. “It is a humiliation,” they said.
Accusing the officer of “corruption”, the Bar president said that the officer takes the “bribe” for registering the grievance and avoids their “genuine” work time and again.
Tehsildar Handwara, Dr Aijaz Ahmad Khuroo, confirmed the incident to Free Press Kashmir and said the misbehavior was reported but he is not aware of the exact position.
“I was not present at the spot when the incident was reported. But I was told that lawyers used the offensive language at ADC’s office,” Khuroo said.
Khuroo termed the brawl a “law and order issue” and said the district administration is investigating the matter.
As lawyers are on strike, Khuroo said he is personally monitoring the situation and informing the higher-ups accordingly.
“Lawyers are on strike and it’s the duty of the magistrate to look after all this and we are doing the same,” he said.
When asked about the exact reason for the argument, Khuroo said he was only told about the offensive language which was used inside the office. “I cannot comment on what happened exactly.”
He said the Deputy Commissioner had also visited the lawyers on strike and efforts are on to resolve the issue.
Free Press Kashmir approached the ADC and Sub-registrar but could not get a response to our journalistic queries. The story will be updated as and when they respond.
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