The newly elected president of Uttar Pradesh Bar Council was shot dead in Agra civil court on Wednesday, PTI reported. Darvesh Yadav was elected the first woman president of the council two days ago, and had come for a visit to the court when she was attacked at around 2.30 pm.
The attacker, identified as her long-time acquaintance Manish Sharma, then tried to kill himself. Sharma is being treated at a hospital.
Additional Superintendent of Police Praveen Verma said Yadav was shot thrice. “After spraying three bullets on her, Sharma also shot himself,” Verma told the news agency. “Sharma is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital and is in a critical condition.”
The incident took place during a welcome ceremony organised for Yadav. At the ceremony, Sharma all of sudden got up and opened fire on her, before shooting himself, police said. Both the lawyers had worked together for decades, unidentified colleagues told PTI.
The pistol used by the lawyer is a licensed weapon and the police have taken possession of it.
Yadav did her Bachelor of Laws from an Agra college and Master of Laws from Agra University. She had started practising as a lawyer in 2004.
Hari Shankar Singh will be the new president of the Uttar Pradesh Bar Council.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav condemned the murder. “Now the first woman head of the bar council of Agra has been shot. Even upholders of the law are not safe,” Yadav tweeted. “Rapes, murders and political killings are increasing at an alarming rate. The CM is chairing meetings upon meetings but the law and order situation is only deteriorating.”
Advocate Indira Jaising said the Bar Council of India should ensure safe working conditions for the women in courts. “Darvesh Yadav the first women ever to be elected as President Bar Council UP ,” Jaising tweeted. “An OBC shot dead in court premises @barcouncilindia must conduct a fact fining enquiry and ensure safe working conditions for all women in courts @ScbaIndia.”
The Bar Council of India condemned the murder and demanded a minimum compensation of Rs 50 lakh for her family from the Uttar Pradesh government. It also asked that the administration to provide security to her family members, according to ANI.
The Awadh Bar Association convened a meeting and condemned the incident, Live Law reported. It resolved to abstain from work on Thursday to protest against the murder. The association also asked the state government to investigate the crime.
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