Several lawyers and advocates in Tamil Nadu were arrested across the state on Wednesday after they tried to stage a protest and attempted to block movement of trains at various places.
The demonstration was organised against the recent amendments to the Advocates Act. Agitating lawyers also launched an indefinite boycott of courts since Tuesday.
The Madras High Court last month issued a notification making amendments to the existing rules under the Advocates Act with a view of ensuring peaceful conduct of court proceedings and suggesting disciplinary action be taken against erring advocates.
Various advocates associations, comprising several thousand lawyers, have been demanding unconditional withdrawal of the recently amended rules to the Advocates Act, as they feel the new rules will prevent lawyers from practising their duty freely in court and protecting the interests of their clients.
As lawyers protested against the amendments, Chief Justice SK Kaul subsequently said he would not act against lawyers in pursuant to the amended rules, but he could not prevent Bar Council of India (BCI) from proceeding against bar associations if they continued the agitation.
The BCI last week also warned lawyers that disciplinary action would be initiated against them for indulging in court boycott to protest against the amendments.
Registrar general of the high court also said that a five-judge committee had been set up to look into the issues of the lawyers.
Published 29 June 2016, 20:39 IST