JOIN USTrouble began reportedly after an altercation between some lawyers and the ‘lekhpals’ (revenue officials) at the Mohammadi revenue court in the district over ‘payment of money for some work’ according to police sources here.
The revenue officials, who were outnumbered by the lawyers, opened fire killing two lawyers on the spot.
According to eye witness accounts another lawyer succumbed to his injuries at the district hospital, sources said.
Angry over the death of their colleagues, the lawyers went on the rampage in the district headquarters and other revenue courts damaging properties and torching vehicles.
They also indulged in heavy stone pelting. Media personnel were also roughed up.
Police had to use force to disperse the mobs of lawyers at different revenue courts in the district, sources said.
Over three dozen ‘lekhpals’ have been taken into custody from Mohammedi and other revenue courts and a rifle and some cartridges have been recovered from their possession.
Security personnel in strength had been deployed in and around the court premises to maintain law and order.
A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident, sources here added.
The Uttar Pradesh Bar Association has given a call for a state-wide strike by the lawyers on Monday to show their protest against the killings.