The protest was held under the aegis of Allahabad High Court Bar Association (HCBA). V C Mishra, HCBA president, while terming the amendments in the Bill passed by both the Houses of the Parliament as “anti-litigants” and “anti-lawyers”, demanded its withdrawal. The lawyers also appealed to the President not to approve the Bill.

According to the amendment under Section 309, trial of rape cases should preferably be completed within two months. Moreover, to ensure speedy trial, the court shall not adjourn the case on the ground of engagement of the lawyer in another court or his inability to attend the case due to illness. The amendment also enabled the police to issue notice to a criminal, instead of arresting him, in cases where the maximum punishment is of seven years. The lawyers observed that the amendments gave wide powers to the police, leaving criminals free to commit offences.

“It amounts to a denial of justice if the case is dismissed by default or if it is not restored for any reason whatsoever,” said Veer Singh, HCBA general secretary.