Judge Uttam Anand's Death: PIL Before Supreme Court Seeking Protection for Judicial Officers

The death of Judge Uttam Anand from Dhanbad has created quite a stir in the legal fraternity.  Concerned about the safety of lawyers, SCBA member, Advocate Vishal Tiwari on Tuesday filed a PIL in the Supreme Court. In his plea, Tiwari has sought directions to the Central Government to protect the judicial officers and other members of the legal fraternity. 

The plea contended that lawyers play an important role in maintaining peace in society. However, history is replete with instances where the judicial function has been hindered by political clout and death threats in an attempt to stall the justice delivery.

The situation becomes more stressful for lawyers dealing with high stakes, controversial and politicized matters.

Highlighting another incident, where two Mumbai lawyers were violently attacked by goons last month, the petitioner has approached the apex court for issuing appropriate writs and directions to grant X category security to judicial officers to ensure that their 'Right to Life' under Article 21 of the Indian constitution remains protected.