2 lawyers shot at in B’shahr court premises over chamber allotment

Meerut: Two lawyers suffered bullet injuries in their legs after being allegedly shot at during a clash over a chamber allotment inside Bulandshahr’s district and sessions court complex on Monday. Police said Imamuddin Khan, 55, and his relative Rauf Khan, both practising lawyers at the court, were admitted at district hospital.Incidentally, “chamber No. 272” in the court’s N Block is at the centre of a long-standing row between Imamuddin and former bar association secretary Pawan Neem.“The chamber earlier belonged to late advocate Saleem Akhtar. After Akhtar’s death about two weeks ago, his wife facilitated the chamber’s transfer via the district court administration and district bar association. However, Pawan Neem, Salekhchand and his supporters had been opposing the allotment,” said Ziaur Rehman, Imamuddin’s son.He added that Imamuddin received information around 6:30 am on Monday that some people were trying to break open the chamber’s main lock. He reached the court complex along with Rauf Khan and found the accused allegedly entering the room.“When they objected, they were assaulted and shot at,” Ziaur claimed. He added that the accused fired three rounds, one of which hit Imamuddin’s right thigh, while another struck Rauf below the knee. The accused then allegedly issued death threats and left.SSP Dinesh Kumar Singh said, “Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered under BNS sections 109 (1) (attempt to murder), 190, 191 (2) (3) (rioting), 115 (2) (voluntarily causing hurt) and 351 (criminal intimidation) against Pawan, Salekhchand, his son Avinash and three others. Pawan, Salekhchand, his son have been arrested and sent to jail. Both the injured are out of danger.”After the attack, police sealed the chamber and tightened security at the court complex.Meanwhile, Bulandshahr district bar association has cancelled the registration of the accused advocates. “Membership of five advocates -- Salekhchand, Avinash, Pawan, Hemendra Verma and Neeraj Singh has been cancelled from the district bar association. We have written to state bar counsel to cancel their registration as well,” said general secretary Amit Chauhan.Notably, a licensed revolver owned by Salekhchand was used in the crime. Police have recovered the weapon and legal proceedings are underway, including cancellation of the license.