The Ministry of Law announced on Friday that the provisions of the Advocate (Amendment) Act, 2023, will come into effect on September 30. This new law aims to tighten control over middlemen operating in courts. The ministry indicated that it will require the creation and publication of a list of such intermediaries. The law defines a "tout" as an individual who procures business from a legal professional for any remuneration. Notably, it stipulates that no one’s name will be included in this list until they are given a chance to prove their innocence. The Law Commission has recommended amendments to the outdated Advocate Act of 1961 and has proposed the repeal of the Legal Practitioners Act of 1879.

Clashes in Bhadrak, Odisha

In Bhadrak district of Odisha, tensions erupted between two communities following a controversial social media post. This unrest led to the imposition of a curfew in the Old Market police station area for an indefinite period. According to police reports, two officers were injured during stone-pelting incidents. The clashes began when members of one community protested against a post made by a young individual from another group. An official stated that both sides engaged in throwing bricks and stones at each other. When police arrived and attempted to disperse the protest, the demonstrators turned violent, resulting in injuries to Bhadrak's DSP and a Sub-Inspector from the town police station. In response, law enforcement used force to break up the crowd.