Delhi Bar Associations Seek Criminal Action Against Suspended ACP Manasvi Vashishtha
The Rohini court bar association has called for a strike demanding stringent criminal and departmental action against suspended Assistant Commissioner of Police Manasvi Vashishtha, joining broader legal protests across the capital. On Monday, the Central Delhi court bar association formally submitted a representation to Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, seeking the registration of a criminal case and an independent inquiry into the officer's alleged misconduct and derogatory remarks against lawyers.
The disciplinary action against Vashishtha followed a protest held outside the Delhi Police headquarters on Monday. Scores of police officers, including the recently transferred Gandhi Nagar ACP, had gathered outside the headquarters seeking an audience with Commissioner Kumar over a recent face-off involving Shahdara lawyers. Vashishtha was placed under suspension following the demonstration.
The conflict traces back to an October 23 incident at the Shahdara police station, which followed an alleged physical assault on advocate Lalit Bansal. Bansal sustained a serious head injury in the incident, leading to a First Information Report registered on a complaint by advocate Amulya Ratan. Several lawyers visited the police station that evening to demand action against individuals named in the assault.
According to the advocates, ACP Vashishtha and the local station house officer initially assured them that the suspects present at the police station would be taken into custody. However, the lawyers stated that they returned the following day after learning the accused had not been arrested and had instead been released. When the advocates questioned the handling of the case, Vashishtha allegedly produced his revolver and threatened and intimidated them.
Police officials presented a counter-version of the events, maintaining that the confrontation originated from a dispute between two groups over a motorcycle-related matter. The police registered a separate case regarding alleged misbehaviour with on-duty personnel, while the specific claim that the ACP aimed his service weapon at advocates remains under investigation.
In its formal submission to the commissioner, the Central Delhi bar association put forward five specific demands. These include filing a criminal case wherever legal grounds exist, initiating departmental proceedings, ordering a time-bound impartial inquiry, and immediately seizing the officer's firearm and other weapons until his fitness is assessed. The representation warned that failure to take decisive action risked damaging institutional relations between the police and the legal fraternity.
