The first woman President of the Uttar Pradesh Bar Council, Darwesh Singh Yadav, was shot dead in Agra Civil courts on Wednesday allegedly by her own colleague Manish Sharma, police said.

Sharma pumped three bullets, and later shot himself. The two were rushed to Pushpanjali hospital, where doctors declared her dead. The condition of Sharma remains critical.

She had been at a welcoming ceremony at the Bar Council chamber when Manish stood up and shot her before trying to shoot himself according to Additional DGP of Agra Zone Ajay Anand. The body of Darwesh Yadav has been sent for post mortem, a police officer said.

Darwesh Yadav was elected president of the Bar on June 9 at Prayagraj. She was the first woman president of the Bar Council. Manish Sharma was her close associate. The two were meeting lawyers in their chambers to thank them for their support.

Some eyewitnesses said the two had heated arguments in senior lawyer Arvind Mishra's chamber, when Manish Sharma lost his cool, pulled out his pistol and fired at Darwesh from point blank range.

The Bar Council has condemned the act and has for increased protection and security of its members. It has been reported that a compensation of Rs 50 lakhs have been ordered to be handed over to the family of the victim.

(With IANS inputs)