Following a series of attacks on lawyers across Maharashtra, including the assault on advocate Kajal Shelake inside the Kolhapur District Court earlier this year, the state government has introduced the Maharashtra Advocates (Prevention of Violence and Protection) Bill, 2026 in the Legislative Assembly. The Bill proposes stricter punishment, mandatory police response and time-bound investigations into attacks on advocates.

The demand gathered momentum after advocate Kajal Shelake was allegedly assaulted inside the Kolhapur District Court in March this year, triggering state-wide protests and prompting the Bombay High Court to take suo motu cognisance.