The Allahabad High Court has directed the authorities to remove the remaining illegal encroachments in the area around the Lucknow District and Sessions Court, noting that 57 additional illegal encroachments have already been removed in compliance with its earlier directions.

A bench of Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Justice Rajeev Bharti passed the direction while hearing two connected writ petitions concerning alleged encroachments around the District and Sessions Court premises and other public areas in Lucknow.

The Court noted that, pursuant to its earlier orders (read here and here), 14 illegal constructions were initially removed, and subsequently 57 illegal encroachments were removed. The Zonal Officer, Zone-1, Nagar Nigam, Lucknow, submitted instructions (dated September 8, 2026) along with photographs of the removed encroachments.

The Bench, however, clarified that the removal exercise is not over. It observed thus:

"Be that as it may, at this stage, it is clarified that the entire illegal encroachments in terms of para-9 of the order dated 07.04.2026 shall be removed..."

The Court further directed the competent authorities to follow the precautions already set out in its August 4 order when carrying out the demolition.

In that order, the Court had directed that 72 remaining alleged encroachers be given one more opportunity either to vacate the chambers/shops or to apprise the competent authority of their valid claim to hold them.

The bench had stated that if they failed to do so, the illegal encroachments could be demolished. Fresh notices were to be served, with publication in one Hindi and one English daily if the notices were not received, and at least ten days' time was to be provided.

The Court had also directed that the demolition exercise may be undertaken on a Sunday so that judicial work is not hampered or disturbed, with the specific date of demolition to be communicated to the encroachers.

It made clear that any illegal activity or obstruction during the demolition could invite action permissible under law.

The Commissioner of Police, Lucknow, District Magistrate, Lucknow and Municipal Commissioner, Lucknow, have been directed to coordinate and ensure adequate administrative and police support to the Municipal Corporation officials, while ensuring that no law-and-order situation arises.

Background

Our readers may note that the action against the encroachers was initiated by the authorities following an order of the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court directing the removal of unauthorized structures near the District and Sessions Court premises (Old High Court) in Lucknow.

The Court had earlier taken note of the fact that illegal encroachment on public pathways was causing inconvenience to the public at large in the area encompassing the District and Sessions Court, Old High Court Campus, Collectorate, Board of Revenue, Old Sadar Tehsil Campus, Sub Registrar Office, Commissionerate, Residency Power Sub Station, Balrampur Hospital and Qaiserbagh Bus Station.

As reported earlier, the Municipal Corporation had informed the Court that more than 100 illegally constructed chambers had been demolished pursuant to the earlier directions.

Of the 72 identified encroachments that were the subject of the proceedings, only 14 could be removed initially, as the demolition drive was disrupted by agitation from the advocates.

The LMC had submitted that the 72 encroachers had been served with notices but could not explain how they were in possession of the chambers/shops. It had also sought adequate administrative and police support, stating that officers could face protests from advocates during the demolition exercise.

The present order now records that 57 more illegal encroachments have been removed.

The Court has directed the authorities to comply with its order with expedition, preferably within five weeks.

The matter has been listed for October 26, 2026. The protection previously granted to the advocates under the August 4 order will continue until the next listing date.