A conflict!
- The SDM also retaliated and accused the lawyers of misbehaviour in his office.
jj correspondent
Samba, July 31: Advocates barged into the SDM Ghagwal office today and had altercation with the officers. The advocates alleged SDM was “Harassing” and “Insulting” advocates for last sometime on one or other pretext. During altercation SDM’s PSO was pushed by the protesting advocates.
The lawyers accused the SDM of using foul language with the lawyers and interfering in their work. Dozens of lawyers gathered at the SDM Ghagwal office today under the banner of the Bar Association Samba where they shouted slogans against the SDM today.
The protest of the lawyers were led by advocate Mandeep Singh Sambyal, president of the Samba district bar association.
Advocate Sambyal told that for the past two to three months, members of the bar had been complaining about conduct of the SDM, especially with lawyers, which was very harsh, rude, unethical and shameful.
He alleged that the SDM intentionally harassed and embarrassed lawyers. He alleged that the SDM, who has been given additional charge of the sub-registrar, Ghagwal, has no legal knowledge about registering documents.
The bar president said the incumbent SDM was “legally illiterate but her attitude and her arrogance were at the highest level”.
“Today, when we went to meet her, the doors of her office were closed. We kept knocking repeatedly and when the doors were opened, her PSO cocked the gun. Had the nozzle not diverted by us, it would have caused a fatal injury,” he said.
While elaborating the status of government employees, he said that SDM is a public servant and has public office but she thinks she is running a “darbar”. We demand her immediate transfer and appointment of independent law knowing sub-registrar. We will file written representation before the authorities concerned, including the LG, he added.
However, the SDM refuted all allegations. “It was a mob attack. The lawyers intentionally damaged camera before entering my office. They brought women lawyers, whom I saw for the first time,” she said.
“A few days ago, a lawyer had abused me. He was insisting me to accept an illegal document, (an old and outdated agriculture certificate) for a registry. I had filed an FIR against him. Harbouring malafide intentions, these lawyers entered my office on Monday. They cut wires of a camera so that it doesn’t work, damaged doors and heckled my PSO,” she said.
“I had no issue with these lawyers, except the one, who had abused a sitting magistrate in her office. Since I lodged an FIR against him, this might have irked them,” she said.
The SDM said her staff has also recorded on Monday’s incident.
“My PSO acted in self-defence. I will write a detailed letter to the revenue secretary and furnish videos of what unfolded on Monday,” she said.
The SDM said she had to requisition the SHO concerned when the lawyers had mobbed her.
