The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to ensure an appropriate investigation into a complaint alleging that lawyers protesting at the Bar Council office were assaulted by a group of other lawyers. The Court passed the direction while hearing a Special Leave Petition challenging the Delhi High Court’s refusal to entertain the plea seeking an independent investigation into the incident.

The matter arose from an incident in which the petitioners alleged that a group of 20–30 persons assaulted lawyers who had gathered to protest at the Bar Council office. The petitioners claimed that despite filing a complaint with the police on August 22, 2026, no FIR had been registered.

Appearing for the petitioners, Advocate Prashant Bhushan submitted that the Delhi High Court had dismissed their plea on the ground that the alleged offence was not cognisable and that they had an alternative remedy of approaching a magistrate. The petitioners had sought an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), alleging that the Delhi Police could be influenced because it functions under the Union Government and that Manan Kumar Mishra is a Member of Parliament belonging to the ruling party.

The bench questioned whether seeking an investigation by the CBI would necessarily resolve the concerns raised regarding the independence of the investigating agency. The Court suggested that the petitioners could pursue the remedy of filing a complaint before the competent magistrate.

Counsel, however, expressed concern that the petitioners did not have access to CCTV footage that could help identify the alleged assailants. Responding to the concern, the Court indicated that the magistrate could direct an investigation to establish the identity of the persons involved.

He informed the Court that the petitioners had already approached the Delhi Police, but no FIR had been registered despite the passage of nearly two months.

The petitioners also alleged that the individuals who assaulted them were lawyers who had been called to the Bar Council office. He referred to statements allegedly made by BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra concerning the presence of lawyers who confronted the protesters.

The Court acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and the need to ensure that the complaint was appropriately investigated. The bench observed that the petitioners had the right to pursue their grievance, while emphasising that the investigation should proceed through the legally prescribed process.

The Court ultimately indicated that the Delhi Police Commissioner should ensure that the complaint dated August 22, 2026, lodged before the Station House Officer concerned, was appropriately investigated. The Court also made clear that the investigation should proceed without being influenced by the earlier observations concerning the nature of the alleged offence.

The bench further indicated that the petitioners could approach the competent magistrate with a complaint against the persons allegedly involved in the assault. If they remained dissatisfied with the investigation, they could subsequently approach the High Court seeking a change of investigating agency.