Senior advocate rapes junior in Saket chamber

The Asian Age.  | Bhaskar Hari Sharma

Metros, Delhi

Accused arrested on a complaint by woman lawyer.

This is not the first case of women lawyers being sexually assaulted.

New Delhi: In a recent incident that has sent shock waves across the legal fraternity, a senior advocate allegedly raped a 32-year-old woman advocate in his chamber in Saket district court complex on Saturday.

The alleged accused, advocate P.K. Lal, who is in his 50s, raped the victim, after calling her to his chamber to discuss about some case. The accused was arrested from Sangam Vihar to be produced produced before the Saket court, the police said.

The victim, in her statement to the police, said the accused, who was in an inebriated condition sexually assaulted her in his chamber in Saket court complex where she too worked, deputy commissioner of police (south) Romil Baaniya said.

On the intervening night of July 14-15, the victim called up the police and alleged that the senior lawyer sexually assaulted her, the DCP said. Her statement has been recorded and a medical examination has also been conducted, he said.

The chamber, where the alleged incident took place, has been sealed and a forensic and crime teams have inspected it, Mr Baaniya said.

 Saket Bar Association secretary general advocate Dhir Singh Kasana said, “It is very unfortunate. We have suspended the accused’s membership and will serve a notice upon him as and when he is released on bail.”

He assured moral support to the victim as she is “all shaken and still under shock”. He met the victim at the police station on Sunday morning.

This is not the first case of women lawyers being sexually assaulted. In April, a 26-year-old had alleged rape in Rohini court by a 60-year-old advocate and in May, a woman lawyer knocked Delhi HC after being molested by an advocate of Tis Hazari Court.

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