Shreya Gupta
On May 13, 2025, a deeply distressing incident has shocked both the legal fraternity and the general public. A junior woman advocate, V. Shyamili, was allegedly assaulted by her senior. The accused has been identified as Advocate Beylin Das. The incident reportedly took place within his office premises. The office is located near the Vanchiyoor District Court in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
The incident has triggered widespread outrage across the legal and political spectrum. According to reports, Shyamili, a resident of Parasala, suffered grievous facial injuries, including a fracture below her eye, and was admitted to a hospital for treatment. She later lodged a formal complaint with the Vanchiyoor police, who subsequently registered a case against Das under several non-bailable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Shyamili recounted the traumatic episode, stating that she had approached her senior to discuss her unfair dismissal and some internal matters, but instead was met with a violent reaction. She alleged that Das slapped her repeatedly, even using a mop stick during the assault, leading to her collapsing and momentarily losing consciousness.
She also claimed that such aggressive and demeaning behaviour was not new for Das, who had a history of verbally abusing and physically intimidating junior lawyers over trivial issues. The fact that Shyamili is the mother of a six-month-old baby has further intensified the public’s concern and outrage over the brutality of the incident.
The legal community responded promptly, with members of the local Bar Association visiting Shyamili in the hospital and suspending Beylin Das from the Association. They also announced the initiation of an internal probe.
Meanwhile, the Bar Council of Kerala took a strong stance by banning Das from court appearances until the disciplinary committee completes its inquiry, and issued a show-cause notice against him. The Bar Council also dismissed allegations that its office bearers supported the accused, affirming the seriousness and rarity of such an incident in Kerala.
Political and civil society organizations, including the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), condemned the assault and organized protest marches demanding immediate justice. AIDWA called for suo-motu action by the judiciary and intervention from both the State Human Rights Commission and the Youth Commission. Kerala’s Law Minister, P. Rajeev, visited the victim and termed the incident extremely serious and unprecedented in the state’s legal history.
As of now, Advocate Beylin Das remains absconding, and a search is underway to apprehend him. This incident has raised urgent concerns about the safety, dignity, and working conditions of young legal professionals, especially women, in the workplace. The swift and united response from the legal fraternity, civil society, and government authorities signals a collective resolve to ensure justice for Shyamili and to uphold accountability within the profession.
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