Shimla, Sept. 28 -- The Bar Council of Himachal Pradesh has strongly condemned the unruly demonstrations that followed the high court's recent verdict in the Yug murder case, terming them "gross disrespect to the majesty of law" and an assault on judicial dignity. In a resolution unanimously passed at an emergent meeting of its General House on September 26, the council criticised derogatory remarks, abusive slogans and attempts to malign judges.

The protests erupted after the Himachal Pradesh high court on September 23 commuted the death sentences of two convicts - Chander Sharma, 26, and Vikrant Bakshi, 22 - to life imprisonment, while acquitting a third, Tejinder Pal, 29, of all charges.

On Thursday, residents of Shimla, including Yu...