Rajasthan: Bill to safeguard lives of lawyers likely to be introduced in upcoming monsoon session

The is likely to introduce theRajasthanAdvocate (Prevention of offences and damages to property)billin the upcoming monsoon session of the assembly. Thelawyershave been agitating for the same. Under the draft bill, an attack on a lawyer is made cognizable and nonbailable offence and a case of death of the lawyer could invite a maximum sentence of death or life term.

Under the bill, anyactof assault, grievous hurt, criminal force, criminal intimidation and threat to an advocate will be prohibited in case it happened in connection with discharge of duties.

Besides prior to the registration of cognizable offence against an advocate, the same information has to be passed on to the president or secretary of the concerned bar association and no less than a deputy superintendent of Police (Dy SP) will investigate the matter.