Sexual assault charge, parade of accused pit AG against Bar Associations in Meghalaya

A law intern accused a senior advocate of sexual harassment in Meghalaya, leading to a dispute between the state High Court Bar Association, the Shillong Bar Association, and the Advocate General. On July 28, an FIR was registered after the intern claimed the senior advocate had sexually harassed her and threatened her with Rs 500.

The Shillong Bar Association suspended the senior advocate following the allegation, while students from the Hynñiewtrep National Youth Front paraded him through the streets. A student group of around 70 advocates wrote an open letter to the Meghalaya State Bar Council and Bar Associations, addressing the imbalance of power between senior advocates and interns, emphasizing the need for accessible reporting mechanisms.

The High Court and Shillong Bar Associations filed a petition on July 31, arguing that the advocate's arrest was "mob justice" and "vigilante action". In court, the Advocate General acknowledged the institution's failure to protect women lawyers and interns. A general meeting was held on August 5, during which the Bar Associations terminated the Advocate General's membership and called for his removal.

The Supreme Court Bar Association praised Kumar's remarks as acknowledging the need for safe spaces for women lawyers, but their request to withdraw the expulsion was rejected.