Maharashtra Introduces Advocates Protection Bill After Kolhapur Court Attack

The Maharashtra state government has officially introduced the Maharashtra Advocates (Prevention of Violence and Protection) Bill, 2026 in the Legislative Assembly. The legislative step comes in response to a series of physical attacks on legal professionals across the state, including a prominent assault on advocate Kajal Shelake inside the Kolhapur District Court.

Introduced on July 14, 2026, the newly proposed bill seeks to establish a safer working environment for lawyers. The draft legislation proposes stricter punishments for offenders, mandates immediate police action upon the receipt of complaints, and requires time-bound investigations into any incidents of violence directed at advocates.

The demand for dedicated protective legislation gathered major momentum earlier this year. In March 2026, advocate Kajal Shelake was allegedly assaulted inside the Kolhapur District Court premises. The attack on a lawyer within court grounds raised serious concerns regarding the safety of legal practitioners.

Following the assault on Shelake, lawyers across Maharashtra organized state-wide protests to express their anger and demand immediate government intervention. The protests highlighted the growing risks faced by advocates in the line of duty and put pressure on authorities to draft protective laws.

The issue also caught the attention of the judiciary. Prompted by the escalating safety concerns and the protests, the Bombay High Court took suo motu cognisance of the security situation of lawyers in the state.

The introduction of the Maharashtra Advocates (Prevention of Violence and Protection) Bill, 2026 in the Legislative Assembly marks the government's formal response to these events. The bill aims to address the systemic security gaps by ensuring that any future violence against advocates is met with swift legal consequences and dedicated police protocols.