This attack constitutes a serious assault not only on an individual member of the legal fraternity but also on the dignity of the legal profession and the administration of justice.
Advocates are officers of the Court and play an indispensable role in upholding the Rule of Law. Any act of violence, intimidation or assault against an Advocate while discharging professional duties is unacceptable and strikes at the very foundation of the justice delivery system.
The Association calls upon the State Government and the law enforcement authorities to conduct a fair, impartial and expeditious investigation into the incident, identify all those responsible and ensure that stringent action is taken against the perpetrators in accordance with law. The Association also urges the authorities to take effective measures to ensure the safety and security of Advocates while they are discharging their professional responsibilities.
The Goa High Court Bar Association stands in complete solidarity with the affected Advocate and assures its full support in seeking justice. The Association expects that the guilty will be brought to justice without delay and that such incidents are prevented from recurring.
Meanwhile, South Goa Advocates Association president Antonio Clovis da Costa said that an advocate is an officer of the Court and that any attack on an advocate while performing his professional obligations is not merely an assault on an individual but a direct attack on the administration of justice and the rule of law. "Such acts of violence seek to undermine the authority of the Courts and intimidate legal professionals from fearlessly discharging their duties", he said.
Expressing its solidarity with Advocate Ankur Kumar and wishes him a speedy and complete recovery from the injuries sustained in the incident, the Association has called upon the Government of Goa and the Goa Police to conduct a swift, fair, and thorough investigation, identify all those responsible for this heinous attack, and ensure that they are brought to justice without delay.
The Association has also urged the authorities to provide adequate protection to advocates and all persons engaged in the implementation of judicial orders so that the majesty of law is upheld.
