29 lawyers from Odisha had their licences suspended by the Bar Council of India (BCI) for interrupting court procedures, pushing and shoving police officers, and using improper language when addressing judges. The suspensions will last for 18 months.

The BCI order came after video clips were brought to its notice, which showed the ‘violent’ protests of lawyers, who went to the extent of barging into courtrooms and damaging properties there.

“The video clearly discloses that almost all the lawyers practicing there (Males and Females) are badly indulged in shouting slogans, burning effigies of judges and office bearers of Bar Council of India and State Bar Council, entering in the court room and damaging the computer sets and other properties inside and outside the court rooms.  The members of Sambalpur District Bar Association are also seen manhandling the police officers and personnel fighting and abusing them,” said BCI.