Lawyer held after client's wife accuses him of taking Rs 50,000 on judge's behalf

COIMBATORE: High drama unfolded at a magistrate court in Coimbatore on Wednesday, when the wife of a remand prisoner barged into the court hall and claimed that an advocate representing him had taken `50,000 from her saying it was meant for the judicial officer hearing the bail plea of her husband.
Tasleem Banu said Peelamedu police had arrested her husband Riyaz on the charge of indulging in immoral activities at his massage parlour. She then engaged a Chennai-based lawyer, Edwin Jayakumar, to argue and obtain bail for Riyaz.On Wednesday , the advocate made her wait near the VI judicial magistrate court for nearly two hours. Initially he got `25,000 from her saying the magistrate had demanded it to grant bail to Riyaz. A while later, he demanded another `25,000 saying the judicial offi cer would dismiss the bail plea if the additional sum was not paid immediately .

It was then that Tasleem entered the court hall and informed the judge that the advocate had taken money from her. The magistrate asked the court's head clerk Rajeshwari to lodge a complaint with with police against the lawyer.Race Course police detained Edwin and held inquiry . After questioning him, they registered an FIR for offences punishable under Section 420 (cheating) of IPC.

Police officials told TOI that such cases were very rare.An advocate, Pandiraj, member of the local Bar association, said though such cases were rare it would be difficult to be prove them in court. Public prosecutor Arumugham said judicial officers had powers and could get people arrested if their action adversely affected court proceedings. Till 10pm on Wednesday , Edwin was not remanded in judicial custody .