Chaos at court as lawyers protest demolition drive, clashes leave several injured

Lucknow: Chaos erupted outside the Lucknow district court in Kaiserbagh on Sunday after lawyers protested a demolition drive in which a Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) team demolished a shop and chambers of several lawyers.

Nearly a dozen lawyers and policemen also suffered injuries and were admitted to Balrampur Hospital and other health facilities nearby.

Acting on an order by the Allahabad High Court, officials identified around 72 illegal structures and launched the demolition drive with 10 bulldozers, PAC personnel and heavy police deployment.

One lawyer allegedly attempted suicide inside his chamber but police rescued him. Advocates accused the police of using excessive force and announced a work boycott from May 18-20, demanding suspension of Thakurganj SHO Omveer Singh and other unidentified sub-inspectors.

According to LMC officials, the civic body submitted a list of 72 encroachers before the court. However, a survey found that the number of encroachments was close to 200.

The survey identified 72 illegal structures on Surendra Nath Road, 47 encroachments from the Health Bhawan to the BSNL building wall up to Collectorate Crossing and Chakbast Road, 25 encroachments between Revenue Council and Health Bhawan, and more than 50 illegal constructions over the drain.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Pankaj Srivastava said the action was being carried out in compliance with the High Court’s order dated May 8, and they would continue to remove encroachments in the area.

“Police were present to maintain law and order. As the demolition progressed, some anti-social elements protested and attempted to obstruct action. Such people were removed by the police, and the demolition drive was conducted successfully. To maintain peace, police remained at the spot,” said DCP, west zone, Kamlesh Dixit.

The demolition became controversial after LMC teams moved beyond Collectorate Road and started razing chambers located on the rear side of the district court near the excise office.

Advocates alleged that while notices were served for structures along Collectorate Road, no such information was provided regarding structures on the other side.

According to officials and eyewitnesses, a section of men in civvies allegedly resorted to stone-pelting on police personnel and officials.

Later, cops used mild force to remove the protesters.

“Police resorted to unnecessary force against advocates who were protesting peacefully. There should have been proper dialogue, and adequate time should have been given before taking such action,” alleged advocate Rohit Shukla.

Another lawyer, Anurag Srivastava, claimed that police personnel acted aggressively during the protest. “The administration should have handled the matter in a more sensitive and professional manner,” he said.

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Highly objectionable, says Akhilesh

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said that the demolition of the chambers of lawyers in Lucknow without making alternative arrangements for them and using force on them was highly objectionable and condemnable.

“When lawyers themselves become victims of injustice, then how will the common citizen get justice?” Yadav posted on X.

“This attack on lawyers shows the incompetence of local administration and the attitude of the govt. The attack on lawyers is a symbol of assault on the rule-based system,” said Shahnawaz Alam, national secretary of the Congress.