Lawyer tries to set self ablaze in Rohini court

In a bizarre incident, a 40-year-old lawyer at Rohini court on Thursday allegedly tried to set himself on fire inside the court following an argument with members of Rohini Court Bar Association over the allotment of a separate chamber inside the complex.

The lawyer, identified as Ravinder Dabas, is believed to be upset over not being allotted a chamber inside the court complex.

The police rushed to the spot after receiving information of a lawyer having poured kerosene over himself in court number 216 at the Rohini court.

Mr Dabas reached the court at around 11 am and immediately went to the office of the bar association and protested for a separate chamber. When no one paid heed to his demand, he allegedly threatened to kill himself if his demands were not met, said a police official.

“The lawyer also started shouting in the premises. He also threatened to kill himself if he is not given a chamber,” said the police official.

After sometime, the lawyer left the office and came back with a bottle of kerosene, said eyewitnesses. He poured some on his coat and set himself on fire, they added.

Other lawyers in the court rushed to his rescue and took off his robes which was on fire. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and soon discharged after first aid. Doctors said that the lawyer did not suffer any injury, said a police official.

The police later registered a case of attempted suicide against him, the official said.

“We also talked to senior members of the bar association in the court who told us that chambers are allotted under a certain protocol and the decisions are taken by a bench of district judges.

“The allotment takes place entirely on the ground of seniority, experience and one’s tenure as a practising lawyer in the court,” the official added.