Goa lawyers have gone on strike protesting the suspension of a district judge, who they say was ousted for making an unpopular judgment.

The IANS reported that district and sessions judge Desmond D'Costa was suspended after acquitting a 40-year-old serial killer of 16 women in one murder case.

A delegation led by the South Goa Advocates Association (SGAA) president Anacleto Viegas submitted a memorandum to the registrar of the Panaji bench of the Bombay High Court, demanding the immediate reinstatement of the judge.

'The agitation will continue if Judge D'Costa is not reinstated,' Viegas said.

'D'Costa's suspension - for a matter which he judicially decided and against which no appeal was filed by the state government - is highly deplorable. D'Costa is in the dock for merely doing his duty. The association will be constrained to take all available recourse possible, including direct action, if his suspension is not revoked,' Viegas said.