Kathmandu: The Democratic Lawyers' Association (DLA) has strongly condemned the assault on senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi, labeling the incident as a serious attack on the rule of law and democratic principles.

In a press release issued today, the DLA expressed deep concern over the assault, which occurred on Wednesday within the premises of the Kathmandu District Court. The attack came after Tripathi represented victims of the Swarnalaxmi Multipurpose Cooperatives Limited in a legal case.

The DLA emphasized that legal practice is a cornerstone of a free and independent judiciary. It highlighted that advocates have a constitutional and legal right to perform their duties in a secure, independent, and fearless environment.

The statement criticized the actions of those involved in the attack, including causing disruptions, engaging in physical violence, and chanting slogans as Tripathi was leaving the court premises. The DLA asserted that such acts undermine the independence of the judiciary, the rule of law, and democratic processes.

The association has called on the authorities to swiftly identify and bring the perpetrators to justice. It reiterated its commitment to upholding the independence of the judiciary and ensuring a safe working environment for all legal professionals.