Hours after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided the residence and offices of senior advocates and human rights defenders Indira Jaising and Anand Grover, a senior advocate has moved the Bar Association to take cognisance of this targeted institutional violence. Advocate Nandita Rao has written to the presidents of the Bar Associations of both, the Supreme Court as well as the Delhi High Court. Her letter is also addressed to the Coordination Committee of Trial Courts.
Image Courtesy: File image of Indira Jaising. Twitter/@IJaising
In her letter Rao highlights why Jaising is being targetted. Rao says, “It is no secret that Ms. Jaising has appeared in cases against the current political establishment and has been outspoken demanding an independent inquiry into the allegations against the CJI.” She also sheds light on the timing of it all saying, “The timing of the registration of an FIR by the CBI against her and Lawyers Collective and the fact that the order of FCRA which is the basis of the FIR is a subject matter of a Writ Petition before Hon’ble Bombay High Court.” She showcases that the matter is still subjudice and that the court has provided interim relief to Jaising and Lawyers Collective.
Rao says, “It appears that the FIR is an attack on the independence of the judiciary by targeting lawyers who are representing clients and cases that are anti the current establishment (sic).” But the most pertinent observation made by Rao is, “… in violation of attorney client privilege, lawyers’ offices are being indiscriminately searched without obvious purpose or notice of what is being sought.” Rao reminds how Jaising and Lawyers Collective have always cooperated with the investigation agency, and that “there seems to be a witch hunt and the raid is simply to intimidate.”
The entire letter may be read here:
