Prayagraj: A division bench of the Allahabad high court comprising Justice Ajay Bhanot and Justice Divesh Chandra Samant has recommended criminal contempt proceedings against lawyers allegedly involved in vandalism and the assault of an additional government advocate (AGA) inside the court on Oct 28. The bench has also recommended registration of an FIR against the lawyers concerned.Justice Bhanot, who dictated the order, titled the proceedings, “In Re: Commission of Criminal Contempt and Criminal Offences by Lawyers in Court No. 49.”In its order, the court observed that a prima facie case of serious criminal offences was made out against the lawyers.“In wake of the preceding discussion, prima facie commission of criminal offences of instigating violence, conspiring to commit violence, and perpetrating violence and vandalism in court and preventing the govt officials from discharging their duties are disclosed against the lawyers,” the bench said.The court directed that the matter be placed before the chief justice for transmission to an appropriate bench for prosecution of criminal contempt proceedings against the lawyers in accordance with law.The bench further requested that appropriate action be considered for registration of criminal cases. It suggested that the registrar general of the HC be directed to ensure registration of an FIR against the lawyers concerned for alleged incitement to violence, conspiracy to commit violence, perpetration of violence and vandalism inside the court, besides any other offences that may be made out.The court also recommended registration of an FIR against persons allegedly responsible for circulating false social media posts relating to the incident and sought action for blocking and deleting such posts.In its detailed order dated Oct 29, the bench recounted the developments leading to the violence. It said that on the morning of Oct 28, while the judges were preparing to proceed to court from Justice Bhanot’s chamber, the private secretary received information from the bench secretary that a group of lawyers had gathered in the courtroom, were in a restive mood and were raising slogans.The judges thereafter proceeded to the courtroom. According to the order, when the court assembled, senior advocate VP Srivastava referred to a letter issued on Oct 27 by the newly elected office-bearers of the Allahabad High Court Bar Association regarding an incident that had allegedly taken place in the court a day earlier. The senior advocate informed the bench that no such incident had occurred with him and that he had never been humiliated by the court. He also stated that proceedings had remained cordial as long as he was present.The court said that after some lawyers made mentions regarding their cases, a section of advocates present inside and outside the courtroom began shouting loudly, making it impossible for the court to conduct proceedings.The bench observed that the “aggressive and unruly group of lawyers” appeared intent on provoking an untoward incident. Describing the atmosphere inside the courtroom, the judges stated that the menacing gestures and uproar made it difficult to believe that a constitutional court was dealing with members of the Bar rather than a riotous mob bent on violence. The court subsequently rose.The order further states that after returning to their chambers, AGA-I Paritosh Kumar Malviya rushed in and pleaded for protection. According to the court, Malviya appeared visibly shaken, had a swollen face and was walking with difficulty.The AGA allegedly informed the judges that immediately after the bench had risen, a group of lawyers assaulted him inside the courtroom and threatened him for defending the State in matters listed before the court. He claimed that he survived because of the intervention of AGA Sandeep Tiwari and some lawyers who advised him to seek refuge in the judges’ chambers.