Advocates of the Himachal Pradesh High Court staged a protest outside a police station in Shimla on Monday, seeking strict action against a police constable who allegedly assaulted a lawyer and misbehaved with him.
The lawyers marched from the High Court to the Chhota Shimla Police Station, raising slogans against the city police. The protest was sparked by an incident in which a police constable allegedly slapped advocate Pranav Sharma, near Nav Bahar Chowk. A video of the altercation, which has gone viral on social media, led to widespread condemnation from the legal community.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi met the protesting advocates and assured them that a departmental inquiry, led by an officer of Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) rank, would be conducted. Following this assurance, the protest was called off.
SSP Gandhi said suitable action would be taken based on the inquiry report.
The protest caused significant traffic congestion on the busy Chhota Shimla–Sanjauli stretch.
The constable, identified as Raman Thakur, was on traffic duty on the Jakhu Link Road when the incident happened. The constable claimed that the lawyer overtook several vehicles improperly and stopped his car in the middle of the road, creating a traffic jam. He further alleged that Sharma assaulted him and tore his uniform.
However, the lawyer claimed that he was travelling from Sanjauli to Chhota Shimla when he was stopped without any provocation and was physically assaulted by the constable.
Both parties have filed complaints against each other.
A case has been registered against advocate Pranav Sharma under Sections 132, 121(1), and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to assault and obstructing a public servant in discharge of duty. Meanwhile, charges under Sections 126(2), 115(2), and 352 of the BNS have been filed against constable Raman Thakur.
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