The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Delhi Police to submit a status report on the investigation into the alleged assault of an advocate inside his residence in Delhi, while also ordering that adequate protection be provided to ensure his life and liberty.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana instructed that the report be filed by an officer not below the rank of a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).

The direction came after an urgent oral mention by Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President and Senior Advocate Vikas Singh.

The case concerns Advocate Pankaj Sharma, an SCBA member, who was allegedly attacked by four persons inside his home on July 11. According to his petition, he sustained a serious head injury requiring eight stitches.

Sharma alleged that the Delhi Police failed to take effective action because the accused were linked to a local politician. He also claimed that the police neither provided him with adequate security nor invoked serious penal provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 109 (attempt to murder) and Sections 117 and 118(2) relating to grievous hurt.

The petition contended that the police had wrongly treated the incident as a case of simple assault despite the gravity of the injuries, calling the action arbitrary, biased and legally unsustainable.

Appearing for Sharma, Senior Advocate Vikas Singh argued that no arrests had been made even days after the incident and that the FIR only invoked offences relating to trespass.

“No one has been arrested yet. The FIR merely says trespass. If this happens in Delhi to a Supreme Court lawyer, then what is left?” Singh submitted.

Attorney General R. Venkataramani also described the matter as serious and urged the Court to issue notice without delay.

Taking note of the submissions, the Supreme Court sought a response from the Delhi Police and directed it to place the investigation status on record while ensuring the petitioner's safety.