HC directed TS to respond over protection to the advocate Karuna Sagar

Hyderabad: Justice Kanneganti Lalitha of Telangana High Court on Friday  directed the state government to respond to the comments of Hyderabad  police  commissioner C.V. Anand, while entertaining an appeal against his order to refuse a gun licence to an advocate. The High Court was dealing with a writ petition filed by Karuna Sagar, advocate of suspended BJP MLA T. Raja Singh.

The advocate brought to the notice of the court that he had moved the police commissioner for a gun licence. When he was turned down, he had filed a statutory appeal. The appeal was dismissed on the recommendation of the police commissioner who had passed the original order of rejection, Karuna Sagar said.

Karuna Sagar said he had earlier requested the police commissioner to provide him security as he was getting threats from unidentified persons. Since then he had appeared before the lower court on behalf of Raja Singh in a case related to the legislator’s remarks against Prophet Mohammed. However, the police rejected his plea, Karuna Sagar said.

Justice Lalitha wondered what connection the application for police protection had to do with the refusal of a gun licence. Senior counsel L. Ravichander, appearing for the petitioner, pointed out to the recent attacks on the advocate after he appeared for Raja Singh.

Ravichander said that while on the one hand the advocate’s application for gun licence was rejected, the police, though aware of the threats Karuna Sagar was facing, were not extending him any protection. Ravichander argued that a clear signal must go to everyone that an attack on advocates for appearing on behalf of clients will not be accepted in a civil society.

Ravichander also argued that independent of the statements made by Raja Singh, Karuna Sagar had a right to appear on his behalf and he could be penalised by those who take the law into their own hands. On the request of the government pleader, the court adjourned the matter to Tuesday.