Full Breakdown
Bombay Bar Association Condemns Police Excesses During October 2026 Protests
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
On October 10, 2026, police in New Delhi used force against peaceful demonstrators, and lawyers were detained in Mumbai and other cities. Senior Supreme Court advocate Shadan Farasat was reportedly manhandled and hauled “like a parcel of goods.” Women lawyers and additional advocates were also detained, according to the Bombay Bar Association (BBA).
BBA’s Resolution
The association emphasized that the right to peaceful assembly is a constitutional guarantee, not a discretionary privilege. While acknowledging the police’s duty to maintain public order, the BBA stated that arbitrary detention, disproportionate force, and intimidation cannot be justified. It called the treatment of advocates an affront to constitutional values and to the independence of the legal profession.
Legal and Constitutional Context
India’s Constitution protects the freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression. The BBA argued that any state action that suppresses dissent undermines the rule of law, which it describes as essential for a functioning democracy. The resolution reiterated that police, as instruments of law, must protect life, liberty, and dignity while respecting the independence of the bar.
Demand for Inquiry
On October 14, 2026, the BBA formally requested an impartial, time-bound inquiry into the alleged assaults and detentions. It urged that police personnel found responsible face appropriate legal and disciplinary measures, and that authorities ensure no further arbitrary detention or custodial ill-treatment. The association reaffirmed its commitment to defending civil liberties and the rule of law.
