FAISALABAD, April 19: The Lahore High Court's inspection team member recorded on Monday statements of around 150 lawyers about the altercation between a senior DBA member and the district and sessions judge.

According to details, senior lawyer Liaqat Ali Awan on Saturday appeared before District and Sessions Judge Abdul Waheed Khan for the recovery of two men from the illegal custody of police.

The judge constituted a team, headed by Special Judicial Magistrate Kazim Awan, for the recovery of Amjad and Riaz from the illegal detention of Inspector Jamshed Iqbal Chishti. The team recovered the two men from the Madina Town private torture cell of Inspector Chishti and produced them before the court.

The victims informed the court that they were rounded up on April 2 and were severely tortured at the private torture cell of Inspector Chishti who demanded Rs1 million for their release. The judge ordered medical examination of the victims. Headed by DHQ Hospital's medical superintendent, a medical board confirmed police torture on two men.

The DSJ disposed of the petition and referred the matter to the district police officer. The lawyer objected to the decision and the judge reportedly insulted and disgraced him by threatening to throw him out of the court by force.

The District Bar Association, on the complaint of advocate Awan, lodged a formal complaint with the chief justice of the Lahore High Court, who ordered an inquiry into the incident and appointed Abdul Islam Khawar member of the inspection team.

Secretary Jawed Iqbal asked all the Bar members through a circular to record their statements before the inquiry officer against the judge. Over five dozen lawyers submitted a joint statement while others individually reportedly informed the inspection team member that the DSJ misbehaved with them.

They also alleged that the DSJ had been patronizing the police in cases of illegal confinement and harassment of innocent people. They demanded immediate transfer of the judge for his 'indecent behaviour' with the Bar members.