Advocates Today, Victims Tomorrow”: A Wake-Up Call From the Streets of the Capital

“When an Advocate, an Officer of the Court, is assaulted in broad daylight and the police become mute spectators, what does that say about the rule of law?”

This is not just a rhetorical question—it’s the harsh reality that unfolded before our eyes on 8th June 2025 in Delhi. My colleague and fellow Advocate Santosh Yadav was brutally assaulted, extorted, and publicly humiliated while merely helping his wife at her departmental store as he regularly does. And the worst part? Despite multiple calls to 112, a detailed complaint to the SHO, and video evidence capturing the incident—the police failed to act decisively.

Around 9:30 AM, Advocate Santosh Yadav was at E-8 Market,Gandhi Vihar, helping his wife at their grocery store. Police officials Pradeep Kumar HC, Suresh Bhatia SI and a few others approached him and as always demanded free stuff when declined, they illegally extorted Rupees 7,000 from his store cash drawer and on refusal, physically assaulted him—tore his shirt; hit him on his back, abused him, snatched money, and fled. Even after the police were called, no timely FIR was registered, and shockingly, the accused walked freely even though the police station was just a few meters away, enjoying immunity under what appears to be local police shelter. A video recording exists and it clearly shows the truth. ( This facts are as per the complainant).

Advocates are the officers of the Courts, the voice of the voiceless, and the pillars of justice. When one of us is attacked while performing our duties, it is not just a personal injury—it is an attack on the entire justice system.

This isn’t just about Sanjay Yadav.
This is about all of us.

The Legal Protection We Deserve—but Don’t Have

Despite the ever-increasing assaults on advocates, India still does not have a central “Advocates Protection Act.”

In 2021, the Bar Council of India proposed a draft of the Advocates Protection Bill, which among other things, included:

But the Bill lies in limbo, un passed, unimplemented.

In contrast, doctors and public servants have protection under special statutes. Why not advocates?

 

What Existing Laws Say (But Police Won’t Enforce)

Even under current criminal laws, the police should have acted:

Also, under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, every citizen—including an advocate—has a right to life and dignity. The moment the police failed to act, they violated this constitutional right.

In Prakash Singh v. Union of India (2006) 8 SCC 1, the Hon’ble Supreme Court issued binding directives for police reforms, including accountability, independence from political/local pressure, and prompt response to criminal complaints.

Clearly, none of that happened here.

A Message to the Delhi Police

You wear the uniform not just to patrol roads, but to protect the Constitution.

By ignoring this brutal assault, you have not only failed Advocate Sanjay Yadav—you have failed every citizen who believes in justice.

If We Don’t Speak Up Now, We’ll All Be Next

To the public, let me say this:

Today it is an advocate who has been humiliated and ignored by law enforcement.
Tomorrow, it could be you, your family, or anyone who dares to stand for justice.

Let us rise in solidarity—not just for Sanjay Yadav—but for every voice being silenced by violence and inaction.

Let this blog be a call to action.
Let this post be shared till it reaches the ears of the Chief Justice, the Home Minister, and every silent authority who’s allowed such injustice to fester.

#JusticeForAdvocateSanjay

#ProtectAdvocatesNow

#DelhiPoliceFail

#RuleOfLawOrRuleOfThugs

 

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