Right-wing activist Milind Ekbote beaten up by cow vigilantes in Pune
Ekbote is accused in Bhima Koregaon violence
Pune: Right-wing activist Milind Ekbote has lodged a police complaint alleging that he and his supporters were beaten up by some 'cow vigilantes' over a minor dispute in Maharashtra's Pune district, an official said on Wednesday.
The alleged incident took place at a temple premises in Zendewadi locality of Saswad area here around 10.30 pm on Tuesday when Ekbote, who is an accused in the Koregaon-Bhima violence case, went there to attend a programme, he said.
Ekbote, who himself is known to be a supporter of cow vigilantes, lodged the complaint against 40 to 50 people and one Pandit Modak, who runs a 'gaushala' in the area, Saswad police station's inspector Annasaheb Gholap said.
"Ekbote had written a post on his Facebook page against Modak in connection with the functioning of the his gaushala which apparently upset the latter. When Ekbote went to Zendewadi to attend a programme, Modak along with his supporters went there to seek an explanation from him over the post," Gholap said.
"This led to an argument following supporters of both Ekbote and Modak indulged in a scuffle," he said.
Some policemen who were already present in the temple premises immediately intervened and brought the situation under control, the official said.
Later in the night, Ekbote reached the Saswad police station and lodged the complaint against Modak and 40 to 50 other people, Gholap said.
Based on his complaint, the police registered a case against Modak and others under various Indian Penal Code Sections, including 146 (rioting) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), but no arrest has been made so far, he said.
According to police, Ekbote and Modak worked together in the past, but due to some differences they parted ways and started functioning separately.
Ekbote is currently out on bail in the Koregaon-Bhima violence case.
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BCI urges CJI to take action against Andhra HC judge for sending young lawyer to 24-hour custody
New Delhi (PTI): The Bar Council of India on Wednesday sought the urgent intervention of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant following a "deeply disturbing" incident where a judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court reportedly sent a young advocate to
24-hour judicial custody over a procedural lapse.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairperson and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, in a formal representation, termed the conduct of Justice Tarlada Rajasekhar Rao "grossly inappropriate" and "damaging to the confidence of the Bar".
“I most respectfully request your Lordship to kindly take immediate institutional cognizance of the matter and call for the video recording of the proceedings, the order passed, and the surrounding circumstances.
“I further request that appropriate administrative action may kindly be considered, including withdrawal of judicial work from the learned Judge pending review, his immediate transfer to some far off High Court, and his nomination for appropriate judicial training/orientation on court management, judicial temperament, Bar-Bench relations, and proportional exercise of contempt/judicial authority,” Mishra wrote.
This representation is made to preserve the “dignity, moral authority and public confidence of the judiciary”, he said, adding, “Judges command the highest respect not by fear, but by fairness, patience, restraint and constitutional humility”.
The communication urged the CJI to intervene at the earliest to ensure that the faith of Bar, particularly young advocates, in the protective and corrective role of the judiciary is restored.
The controversy stems from proceedings on May 5.
According to the BCI, a video circulating online shows Justice Rao rebuking a young advocate who was unable to produce a specific order copy during a hearing.
The letter said that despite the advocate "repeatedly seeking pardon and mercy" and claiming he was in physical pain, the judge remained "unmoved".
The judge allegedly told the lawyer, "now you will learn," and mocked his experience before directing the Registrar and police personnel to take him into custody for 24 hours.
The BCI chairperson said that the judge’s actions lacked proportionality and fairness.
"The dignity of the court is not enhanced when a lawyer is made to beg for grace in open court and is still sent to custody for a procedural lapse," the letter said.
"A young lawyer... is an officer of the Court, still learning, still growing, and entitled to correction without humiliation," it added.
The bar body said that such actions create a "chilling effect" on the legal fraternity, particularly among junior members, and undermine the mutual respect required between the Bench and the Bar.
