Porvorim: The Goa Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed the Goa Advocates Protection Bill, 2026, providing for stringent punishment for assault, intimidation and harassment of advocates in connection with their professional duties.
The legislation, passed during the ongoing monsoon session of the Assembly, seeks to prevent offences against advocates and damage or loss to their property.
The Bill was moved by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who also holds the Law and Judiciary portfolio.
Under the Bill, assault or use of criminal force against an advocate will attract imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to Rs 55,000, while voluntarily causing grievous hurt can invite imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.
Criminal intimidation or harassment of an advocate will be punishable with imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to Rs 25,000. If the threat involves death, grievous hurt or destruction of property, the imprisonment may extend to seven years.
The Act makes every offence committed under its provisions cognizable. It also provides for compensation to advocates from fines recovered by courts.
The legislation provides that when a cognizable offence is reported against an advocate for an act done during the discharge of professional duties, the complaint can be registered only after an inquiry by a police officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police. The inquiry is required to be completed within seven days.
If a case is registered, the Bar Council and the concerned Advocates Association of which the advocate is a member will have to be informed.
The Bill also provides for recovery of damages for loss or damage caused to an advocate’s property and reimbursement of medical expenses, as determined by the court.
At the same time, safeguards have been incorporated against misuse of the law. An advocate found to have misused its provisions or made a false or malicious complaint can face imprisonment of up to one year, a fine, or both.
The legislation also provides for police protection to an advocate facing threats of offences under the Act. Such protection can be sought before the Court of Sessions, while an officer below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police cannot withdraw, reduce or discontinue the protection without prior permission of the court that granted it.
The Statement of Objects and Reasons said there had been an increasing incidence of violence, intimidation, harassment, false implication and damage to property directed against advocates while discharging their professional duties.
Such acts, it said, could affect the independence and fearless functioning of the legal profession and ultimately impair litigants’ right to legal representation and access to justice.
The Bill, introduced as the Goa Advocates Protection Bill, 2026, will extend to the whole state and will come into force on a date to be notified by the government in the Official Gazette.
