Mangaluru : Members of Communist Party of India (Marxist) came out in protest here on Wednesday against the police department’s alleged “failure” to arrest an advocate accused of forging the court’s seal and judge’s signature.

On July 16, a criminal case – on a complaint by officials of the sessions court – was registered against A.C. Jayaraj for having allegedly withdrawn insurance money using forged court documents.

The CPI(M) said that even though the court had ordered his arrest, the police were hesitant.

“The police should follow the orders of the court and arrest the advocate to ensure people have faith in the department. There is a belief that the rich are allowed to escape by the police,” said Vasant Achari, district secretary of CPI(M).

The protestors alleged that the State government was shielding Mr. Jayaraj as he was a relative of a Congress corporator and was a member of the party himself.

The CPI(M) has said it would intensify its protest if the police did not arrest the advocate.