Lawyers in Ludhiana observe 'No Work Day'; Here's Why
Ravi Jakhu
Ludhiana (Punjab), August 4, 2025: In a show of solidarity and protest, lawyers across Ludhiana are observing a complete no-work day today, August 4, in response to an alleged death threat issued to a fellow advocate.
The legal fraternity has expressed deep resentment over the police's failure to register an FIR, even days after the incident. The protest comes after Advocate Harjas Singh Gill, practising at the Ludhiana District Court, filed a complaint alleging that on the night of July 27, he was intercepted by six armed men near Bansal Market in Sarabha Nagar. According to the complaint, one of the accused, Adarsh Toor, allegedly pointed a loaded pistol at him while others vandalized his car and issued open threats to kill him.
Gill further alleged that the accused are affiliated with the ruling party and are influencing the police to stall action.He claims that even after filing an online complaint, the police have not initiated any formal investigation or registered an FIR.
District Bar Association President Vipan Saggad condemned the inaction of the police, calling it “a serious failure of law enforcement” and warning that such negligence fosters insecurity among legal professionals. “The lawyer community is feeling threatened. If swift action is not taken, we will intensify our agitation,” Saggad said.
The Bar Association has also drawn parallels to a recent tragic incident in which a young lawyer succumbed to gunshot injuries after battling for life for 13 days—an event that has already left the state's legal community shaken.
In a statewide appeal, all Bar Associations in Punjab have been urged to unite in protest until concrete action is taken. The Ludhiana Bar is demanding that an FIR be filed immediately under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with the Arms Act, and that the accused be arrested without delay.
The legal community has made it clear: their demand is not just for justice for one lawyer, but for the safety and dignity of the profession at large.