Supreme Court slams ‘hooliganism’ by lawyers, grants bail to toll workers, transfers trial to Delhi

The Supreme Court was hearing a plea of toll plaza employees seeking bail alleging that they were denied legal representation.

The Supreme Court has come down heavily on members of the Bar in Uttar Pradesh ’s Barabanki district for ‘hooliganism’ as they indulged in violence and obstructing legal representation, even as it granted bail to toll plaza employees accused of assault and transferred their trial to Delhi to ensure a fair hearing.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was hearing a plea of toll plaza employees seeking bail alleging that they were denied legal representation.

The petitioners are contractual employees of a private company who were posted for toll collection duty at the Gotona Bara Toll Plaza on the Lucknow-Sultanpur Highway , in district Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh.

“We can understand the sentiment of fraternity amongst the lawyers but that, by no means, can justify the acts of violence and lawlessness which ensued when a brave lawyer came forward to defend the accused.

These deplorable acts of hooliganism deserve to be deprecated,” the top court said on March 17.

Toll dispute escalates into criminal case
Allegations of denial of legal representation
Violence within Bar: Lawyer’s office set on fire
Supreme Court: Bail denial unjustified, violative of liberty
Bail, transfer of trial, protection
Court condemns Bar conduct, seeks action
Larger concern: Erosion of legal ethics
Vineet Upadhyay is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, where he leads specialized coverage of the Indian judicial system.

Specialized Legal Authority: Vineet has spent the better part of his career analyzing the intricacies of the law.

His expertise lies in "demystifying" judgments from the Supreme Court of India, various High Courts, and District Courts.

His reporting covers a vast spectrum of legal issues, including:
Constitutional & Civil Rights: Reporting on landmark rulings regarding privacy, equality, and state accountability.

Criminal Justice & Enforcement: Detailed coverage of high-profile cases involving the Enforcement Directorate (ED), NIA, and POCSO matters.

Consumer Rights & Environmental Law: Authoritative pieces on medical negligence compensation, environmental protection (such as the "living person" status of rivers), and labor rights.

Over a Decade of Professional Experience: Prior to joining The Indian Express, he served as a Principal Correspondent/Legal Reporter for The Times of India and held significant roles at The New Indian Express.

His tenure has seen him report from critical legal hubs, including Delhi and Uttarakhand.

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