Advocates stay away from courts to protest against Uttarakhand minister

Over 10,000 advocates across Uttarakhand today stayed away from work demanding a public apology from a state minister for allegedly threatening a former chairperson of bar council.
    
Advocates practicing in various courts of the state today stayed away from the routine work and did not attend courts, said Yogendra Singh Tomar, a member of bar council.
    
Razia Beg, who is also a member of Uttarakhand Waqf Board, had alleged that state cabinet minister Matbar Singh Kandari on April 12 asked her not to interfere in the "autocratic style of functioning" of Waqf board chairman Rao Sharafat Ali, and threatened of dire consequences if she continues to do so.
    
Apart from apprising Dehra Dun bar association and Bar Council of Uttarakhand of the threat, Beg had also given a written complaint to the police.
    
Tomar said the minister should tender a public apology for his threat. The advocates also submitted a memorandum to chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank through District Magistrate urging him to take an action against the minister.