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Allahabad High Court Orders Complete Removal of Illegal Encroachments Around Lucknow Court Complex
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Directive and Immediate Actions
On September 10 2026, a division bench of Justices Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Rajeev Bharti directed Lucknow authorities to eliminate all remaining illegal encroachments surrounding the District and Sessions Court. The order, issued while hearing a criminal writ petition treated as a public-interest litigation, reiterated that demolition may proceed only after occupants receive notice and an opportunity to prove a legitimate claim to the premises.
Background & Context
The court’s April 7 2026 order had originally required removal of illegal structures from the entire area around the court, including adjacent government offices such as the Old High Court Campus, Collectorate, and Board of Revenue. The bench had highlighted that encroachments on public pathways were causing “considerable” hardship to the public using these facilities. Subsequent proceedings on August 4 reinforced the need to give the 72 identified encroachers a final chance to vacate or substantiate their possession before any demolition.
Data & Statistics
- Initial removals: The Lucknow Municipal Corporation reported that 14 illegal constructions were first cleared in compliance with the court’s earlier directives.
- Subsequent removals: An additional 57 encroachments were removed, bringing the total to 71 structures eliminated (Lawbeat; Hindustan Times).
- Remaining encroachments: The court noted that the exercise remains incomplete and that the remaining illegal structures covered by the April 7 order must still be cleared.
Official Statements & Responses
The bench emphasized several safeguards rooted in natural-justice principles:
- Notice procedure: Occupants must be served fresh notices granting at least ten days to act. If personal service fails, notices may be affixed to the encroachment and published in one Hindi and one English newspaper.
- Demolition criteria: Structures may be demolished only when occupants neither vacate nor establish a bona-fide claim.
- Coordination of agencies: The court directed the Lucknow Police Commissioner, District Magistrate, and Municipal Commissioner to cooperate and provide necessary police and administrative support to prevent any law-and-order disturbances.
- Operational flexibility: Demolition work may be carried out on Sundays to avoid disrupting judicial functions.
These procedural safeguards were reiterated as “abundant precaution” measures to ensure fairness before any further action.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No substantive discrepancies were identified among the sources regarding the number of encroachments removed or the procedural requirements set by the court.
What’s Next
- Completion timeline: Authorities have been instructed to finish the removal exercise “expeditiously, preferably within five weeks” as part of the September 10 order.
- Future hearing: The matter is scheduled for further consideration on October 26 2026.
- Notice implementation: Fresh notices must be served within the ten-day window, with publication in both Hindi and English newspapers if personal delivery is not possible.
The court’s directives aim to restore unobstructed access to public facilities around the Lucknow court complex while upholding procedural fairness for those occupying the disputed structures.