In the wake of “Chalo High Court” call given by Telangana Advocates in protest against the inordinate delay in the bifurcation of the Hyderabad High Court and posting of Andhra Judges in Telangana courts, the area around the court premises remained tense on Monday.
A procession of Telangana lawyers started from the Nampally criminal courts complex, was obstructed by the police. The Bar Association of Telangana High Court immediately lodged a complaint with the Acting Chief Justice against the police action. On the other hand, the agitating advocates staged a rasta roko at the High Court premises.
Speaking on the occasion, Advocate Ranga Rao said they do not know whom to approach when injustice was being done to the judiciary. He also alleged that advocates and judges belonging to AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s community were being filled in the High Court even after the bifurcation of the united State. If the situation remained unchanged, the Telangana advocates union will be constrained to lock the court halls being presided over by Andhra judges, he warned.
Meanwhile, the Advocates coming towards the High Court were being stopped at the Madeena crossroads and being frisked thoroughly. However, many advocates sneaked into the court saying they would obstruct the functioning of the courts. Police erected barricades on roads leading to the High Court and allowed in only those lawyers whose cases were to come up for hearing on Monday.
The lawyers in Nizamabad and Warangal, locked the courts in support of their demand. Meanwhile, the judicial employees have decided to intensify the protest by going on strike from July 1. They served a strike notice on the Hyderabad High Court Registrar.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner Mahender Reddy said no permission was given for “Chalo High Court”. Police banned processions around the High Court to foil any protest. The association said about 130 officers of Andhra nativity were allotted to Telangana after they exercised the option.