Delhi cop protests: Lawyers and Policemen have been scuffling for longer than we know

Lawyers-cops fistfight in Delhi injured 21 policemen and eight attorneys. The fights have led to protests from both sides with each blaming the other for Saturday's unruly and violent incidents. The clashes between the two important groups of the justice system have revealed the underlying issues once again. The latest fights that broke out between lawyers and policemen in the premises of Tiz Hazari Court aren't the first time that they have been fighting over issues. Lawyers and policemen of our country have had a history of troubled past over the years. Here are five similar instances from the past when the police and the lawyers ave engaged in unprofessional behaviour.

Delhi: January, 1988

The police arrested a man from the women's washroom in St. Stephens College on a complaint of theft. When he was being produced in court, the lawyers claimed he was one of them and protested against his arrest. The lawyers' violent protests in front of the office of then DCP (north) Kiran Bedi led to a lathi charge by the cops. The clashes continued for several months. However, Kiran Bedi didn't give into their demand and stood by the policemen. On Tuesday, in the latest protests by the Delhi cops, they were seen with placards carrying Kiran Bedi's photograph and a message that read, "We need you."

Delhi: September 1998

In September 1998 violence was rampant when the police arrested a lawyer, who was trying to resolve an ownership dispute related to an educational institution. The lawyers beat up the policemen escorting their arrested colleague and suspended work in several trial courts in Delhi. The situation was resolved through mutual agreement.

Chennai: February, 2009

A group of lawyers were arrested by the police for allegedly attacking the then Janata party chief Subramanian Swamy in the Madras High court. Trouble brewed as lawyers marched in protest. The police were pelted with stones during the protests. Cops retaliated by lathi charging the lawyers. The incident spiraled out of control when a police station was set on fire. A judge of the Madras High Court had gotten injured along with several others.

March 2015: Allahabad

Police opened fire at an under trial, who was trying to escape from the Allahabad district court. The bullet accidentally hit a lawyer instead, which ended up killing him. Lawyers hurled stones at the police after the incident.

January 2019: Lucknow

A group of lawyers demanded the arrest of a lady sub-inspector, claiming she had misbehaved with two lawyers while detaining them for drunk driving on the Lucknow-Faizabad National Highway. The violence protests undertaken by the lawyers led to injuring at least 50 people.