Bihar Lawyers to go on Strike on May 2

Lawyers in Bihar will abstain from judicial work on May 2 to protest against the arrest of one their colleagues in Samastipur district on April 19.

Bihar State Bar Council (BSBC) today said counsels throughout the state will abstain from judicial work on May 2 to protest against the arrest of lawyer Anil Kumar Singh by the authorities in Samastipur district.

The lawyers will also press for transfer of the District Magistrate (DM) and the Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC) by holding them responsible for harassment and wrongful arrest of their colleague, BSBC’s Officiating Secretary Ashok Kumar said in a statement.

Singh was arrested for receiving a fee of Rs 30 for drafting a petition, which the DDC considered as bribe. It was also decided at the meeting that the lawyers will abstain from judicial work in Samastipur district till the DM and the DDC were transferred out of the district, Kumar said.

The lawyers also demanded a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for “victimising” Singh, Kumar said. It was also decided that a 11-member team of the BSBC will soon visit Samastipur to inquire into the matter and will submit a report to the apex body for further action.