SDM and advocate dispute escalates in Mahoba; Lawyers protest in Collectorate; warning of court boycott if action is not taken

Mahoba. The dispute between the administration and advocates in Mahoba district of Uttar Pradesh has taken a new turn. The atmosphere at the district headquarters became heated after the Sadar SDM was accused of misbehaving with an advocate over the phone and allegedly threatening him not to come to the court and getting his advocacy license cancelled. In protest against the case, a large number of lawyers under the banner of District Advocate Committee demonstrated in the Collectorate premises and raised slogans against the administration and demanded fair action.

The controversy started with the dispute related to the route of Bijanagar resident advocate Parshuram Kushwaha. The advocate alleges that instead of resolving the problem, the Sadar SDM used inappropriate language on the phone and allegedly made serious threats. He says that he had lodged a complaint of administrative negligence on the Jansunwai portal, after which he was treated like this. The advocate has claimed that audio recording of the conversation is also available and on this basis he has given an application to the Superintendent of Police demanding registration of an FIR.

After the incident, the District Advocate Committee started protesting, calling it a matter related to the honor of advocates. Committee officials say that if advocates are treated this way, the dignity of the judicial system will be affected. During the demonstration, the lawyers demanded that an impartial investigation be conducted into the entire episode and if the allegations are found to be true, then strict action should be taken against the concerned officer.

The officials of the Advocates Committee also said that if the problem of the aggrieved advocate is not resolved soon and appropriate action is not taken on the allegations, then they will start a widespread agitation with a complete boycott of the SDM Court. He says that any attempt to put pressure or intimidate the advocates will not be accepted.

Considering the seriousness of the matter, the Additional District Officer on behalf of the administration met the advocates and received their memorandum. The officials assured that the entire matter will be investigated impartially and necessary steps will be taken to resolve the pending problems at the tehsil level. The administration says that injustice will not be allowed to any party and further action will be decided on the basis of the investigation report.

At present, there is tension between the administration and the lawyers in the district regarding this entire matter. Both sides are firm on their respective stances. On one hand, the advocate organization is adamant on demanding action, while on the other hand, the administration says that the decision will be taken on the basis of facts only after investigation of the case. Now all eyes are on the investigation report and the next action of the administration because this will decide whether this dispute will be resolved soon or it will deepen further.