Fri Apr 18 17:18:09 UTC 2025: **Bengaluru Lawyer Brutally Attacked in Office; Bar Council Demands Increased Security**
BENGALURU, INDIA (April 18, 2025) – Y.R. Sadashiva Reddy, a senior advocate and co-chairman of the Bar Council of India (BCI), was brutally attacked in his Bengaluru office on April 16th, prompting outrage and calls for increased security for legal professionals.
According to police reports, two individuals assaulted Mr. Reddy with fibre pipes, causing a fractured hand and other grievous injuries. The attack is believed to be linked to a two-year-old complaint filed with the Karnataka State Bar Council (KSBC) by the assailant’s mother, concerning an alleged relationship between Mr. Reddy and a now-deceased senior advocate. The assailant claimed he was denied assets belonging to the deceased lawyer because of Mr. Reddy’s actions. Police have arrested one suspect.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has strongly condemned the attack, describing the injuries as an attempt to “silence, cripple, and intimidate” Mr. Reddy. BCI Chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra called for immediate and significant improvements to the safety and security of advocates. The BCI is demanding police protection for lawyers facing credible threats, both at home and in their offices, along with enhanced security measures for bar council offices and association chambers, including CCTV surveillance, panic buttons, and round-the-clock police presence.
The Advocates’ Association, Bengaluru (AAB), also condemned the attack and praised the police for their swift apprehension of a suspect within 12 hours. The AAB plans a demonstration on April 21st to protest the violence. The incident has highlighted concerns about the safety and security of legal professionals in India.
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