The Supreme Court has been moved challenging the action of the Uttar Pradesh police in producing lawyer Shrikant Awasthi (who later died in custody) in a court with handcuffs, violating the directions and guidelines formulated by the apex court.

According to the petitioner, Aeltemesh Rein, the victim was brought to the court on May 13 from the prison with handcuffs before a Division Bench of the High Court comprising Justice B.S. Chauhan and Justice Arun Tandon for alleged contempt of court. Though it was brought to the notice of the two judges, no action was taken against the police.

When the victim complained of illness, he was taken to the hospital with handcuffs and his leg was tied and chained to the bed. Subsequently he died while in custody. The death resulted in lawyers going on the rampage in Allahabad. It was alleged that Awasthi died due to police torture.

The petitioner sought a direction to initiate action against the officials who had committed a contempt of court by handcuffing the lawyerand later causing his death in judicial custody and to award compensation to the family of the victim.