'Unwanted' SSP's return: Lawyers boycott courts again in Hyderabad

The Hyderabad District Bar Association has called for a complete boycott of courts, including Sessions Court, Civil Court, and the High Court, following the return of SSP Hyderabad Dr Farrukh Lanjar from leave.

According to the 24NewsHD TV Channel, the legal fraternity has vowed to continue their protest until the 'unwanted' SSP is removed from his post.

Fifteen days ago, tensions between lawyers and police escalated after a case was registered against a fellow lawyer. In response, the Hyderabad lawyers staged a sit-in on the National Highway, demanding the removal of the SSP. The three-day protest came to an end after the SSP went on eight days of leave.

However, after SSP Dr Farrukh Lanjar resumed his charge last Monday, the Hyderabad District Bar Association announced a fresh boycott of judicial proceedings, declaring that the strike will continue until the SSP is transferred.

It is worth mentioning that on February 8, the legal fraternity had previously ended their protest and court boycott after the then-SSP Hyderabad, who manhandled lawyer Ali Raza Bozdar, was transferred.

Reports revealed that the local SHO had booked the lawyer on the SSP’s instructions as a punishment for driving into the police officer’s convoy.

The incident triggered massive protests across Sindh, forcing the Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) to intervene. The IGP subsequently sent SSP Hyderabad Dr Farrukh Ali Lanjar on leave, appointing the SSP of Tando Muhammad Khan as acting SSP Hyderabad.

As a result, lawyers called off their sit-in in Hyderabad, and the National Highway was reopened after three days of complete blockage.

However, with the return of SSP Farrukh Lanjar, the tensions have reignited, and Hyderabad’s legal fraternity has once again resorted to a full-fledged strike, refusing to step into the courtrooms until the police officer is removed from his position.

Reporter: Muhammad Hassan