Woman's family denies affair allegation in Amethi murder case
Accuses police of ignoring harassment complaint
Amethi: The family of a woman who was killed along with her husband and two daughters in Amethi has refuted the police's claim that she was involved in an affair with the accused, Chandan Verma. Instead, they allege that Verma harassed her and took photos without her consent.
The victims, identified as Poonam, her husband, a government schoolteacher, and their two daughters, were found shot dead in their home in the Ahorwa Bhawani area of Amethi. Poonam's brother, Bhanu, told the media that Verma used to harass his sister and forced her to talk to him. He further alleged that Verma had taken photos with her without her consent, which are now being circulated. "Had the local police acted on my sister's FIR, this incident could have been prevented," Bhanu stated.
The police, however, maintained that the murders took place after an alleged affair between Verma and Poonam ended. Verma, a resident of Rae Bareli, claimed he had been in a relationship with Poonam for the past 18 months. He reportedly reached the victims' house on Thursday, got into an argument, and then shot the family.
After the murders, Verma tried to kill himself, but the gun misfired. On Saturday, he was shot in the leg when he allegedly opened fire at a police team.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met the family members of the victims in Lucknow on Saturday. Offering condolences, Adityanath assured the family that strict action would be taken and promised financial assistance and a government job for a family member. "The UP government stands with the bereaved family with full sympathy and commitment," he stated.
The police disclosed that Poonam had lodged a complaint against Verma on August 18 in Rae Bareli for harassment, but no substantial action was taken.
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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.
