The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed protection to the petitioners in a case concerning the alleged assault on four advocates, including a woman lawyer, in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana was hearing a petition filed by advocate A. Deepa and 3 other lawyers, represented by Senior Advocate Vikas Singh.

During the hearing, Mr Singh raised concerns over the alleged assault and subsequent harassment of the petitioners. He submitted that the woman advocate had been beaten by several men and that the incident was captured on CCTV footage. He also alleged that the police had registered a counter-FIR against the advocates three days after the incident.

The court also directed preservation of CCTV footage, including footage from another camera which, according to the petitioners, allegedly captured persons carrying firearms.