In a significant verdict underscoring the sanctity of judicial spaces, a Madhya Pradesh Court has convicted five lawyers for a violent assault on journalist Ghanshyam Patel, who had appeared as a witness in a case more than a decade ago.
On 28th of August, 2025, Additional Sessions Judge Shrikrishna Dagliya (Indore) sentenced four Ujjain-based lawyers, Dharmendra Sharma, Shailendra Sharma, Bhavendra Sharma, and Purshottam Rai, to seven years of rigorous imprisonment. The fifth accused, Surendra Sharma (90), was awarded a reduced sentence of three years’ simple imprisonment in view of his advanced age.
The incident dates back to February 10, 2009, when Patel was attacked inside the Court premises in Ujjain. According to the prosecution, the accused, who included a father and his two sons, brutally assaulted Patel, snatched his licensed revolver, gold chain, and wristwatch, and threatened him with dire consequences if he testified against them.
Initially, the matter was being heard in Ujjain. However, upon Patel’s plea expressing apprehension of bias and seeking a fair trial, the Madhya Pradesh High Court transferred the case to Indore.
In a 120-page judgment, Judge Dagliya came down heavily on the accused, stressing that the assault occurred within Court premises, an institution revered as the “temple of justice". The order noted, “The incident took place inside the court. It is the duty of every citizen to uphold the rule of law, more so lawyers who are custodians and experts of legal knowledge. Instead of protecting the dignity of law, the accused attempted to murder Patel within judicial precincts".
The Court held that such conduct was not only criminal in nature but also struck at the very foundation of judicial decorum and public faith in the justice system.
Along with imprisonment, the court imposed a fine of ₹10,000 on each of the accused.
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