Demanding that the newly amended statutory rules be withdrawn, members of The Salem Bar Association burnt the copies of the amendment at the Integrated Court Complex here on Friday. Lawyers had covered their mouth using black ribbon.
Lawyers gathered in front of the statue of Goddess of Justice on the premise and burnt the copies of the amendments that empower Madras High Court to debar them by excising powers conferred on it under Section 34 (1) of the Advocates Act, 1961.
They raised slogans that the amendment would enable judges to debar them who indulge in abusing judges, paying bribe, tampering with court records among others.
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They said that if the amendments were not withdrawn, they would begin sit-in protest inside the court from Monday.
On Wednesday they tried to block trains.
Lawyers burnt copies of the amendments in Omalur, Mettur, Tiruchengodu, and Namakkal too.
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Erode
Lawyers in Erode district intensified their protest on Friday by burning copies of amendments made to Statutory Rules of Madras High Court. None was, however, arrested.
About 100 lawyers carried out the protest in front of the District Court Complex. Similar protests were reported from Bhavani, Gobi, Sathy, Perundurai and Kodumudi.
In all, 332 lawyers took part in the protest, police sources said.