Noted criminal lawyer dies after attack

NEW DELHI - After battling for life for nearly two-weeks, noted criminal lawyer R.K. Naseem, who was allegedly attacked by his close relative and former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Vinod Sharma, Monday died of his injuries at a city hospital, police said.

Naseem was admitted in the Mata Channan Devi Hospital in west Delhi’s Janakpuri area after he was allegedly attacked by Sharma Jan 24 in Dabri area. Sharma attacked Naseem over a property dispute in Manesar near Gurgaon.

Naseem sustained severe head injuries after he was hit with a stick on the head and was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition. Sharma was arrested Jan 29 by the Delhi Police’s Crime Branch.

Naseem was defence counsel in important cases like the Jessica Lal murder case and the Priyadarshini Mattoo rape and murder case. He was the defence lawyer for Sushil Ansal, prime accused in the Uphaar fire tragedy, and also appeared for senior police officer R.K. Sharma, accused in the Shivani Bhatnagar murder case.

On hearing about his death, lawyers in Delhi’s lower courts announced their decision to go on strike for the rest of Monday.