The death of terror suspect Khalid Mujahid last week is gradually turning into a major communal issue.
The office of Jamal Ahmed, the counsel of Khalid Mujahid, was ransacked by protesting lawyers at the district court premises in Faizabad to protest against a demonstration held in Faizabad on Monday to protest against Mujahid’s death. The demonstration had been led by a section of lawyers belong to the Muslim community.
Another lawyer, Salim Ahmed, was also attacked on Tuesday and had to be admitted in the emergency ward of the district hospital. The District Bar Association (DBA) in Faizabad held a meeting and condemned a protest march which was taken out in Faizabad on Monday to protest against Khalid’s death.
The District Bar Association further cancelled the membership of three advocates —- Shakeelur Rehman, Nadeem Ahmed and Salim Ahmed — for supporting the protests against Khalid’s death.
Jamal Ahmed’s membership was already cancelled in 2008, when he had filed papers for contesting Khalid’s case.
“After the DBA meeting, the lawyers came to the compound where we used to sit and damaged furniture and name plates. Salim was also attacked,” said Jamal Ahmad and added that the lawyers were being instigated by SP (city) Manoj Kumar Jha. Jamal Ahmad has sought police protection but the same has not yet been given to him. DBA president Jagdamba Singh, meanwhile, denied that any lawyer was attacked in the court premises.
“A general body meeting of the DBA was held on Tuesday and a resolution was passed unanimously, cancelling the bar membership of some lawyers. Soon after this, we heard the lawyers abusing us outside the bar association office,” Mr Singh told this correspondent on Wednesday.