New Delhi, August 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea challenging proceedings against illegal constructions and encroachments allegedly made by lawyers on public pathways and utility land at the court premises in Lucknow, making it clear that the unauthorised structures would have to be removed.
A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta dismissed the plea filed by the Central Bar Association, Lucknow, and directed lawyers occupying the unauthorised structures to vacate them peacefully.
Senior advocate Adish Aggarwala, appearing for the petitioners, sought allotment of an alternative location for the lawyers. The Bench, however, said membership or office-bearer positions in the association did not confer any right to occupy unauthorised structures.
The court observed that lawyers could not occupy roads and open spaces within the court premises, construct unauthorised structures and then claim a right to remain there because they held positions in the association.
Justice Vikram Nath said the demolitions had to be carried out, noting that the unauthorised constructions had obstructed roads and disrupted traffic. He also referred to his own experience of the court premises during his two-year tenure as a senior judge.
When an alternative site was suggested, the Bench told the lawyers to approach the state government for assistance in providing land or a society for them.
The Bench also rejected a request to refer the matter to mediation and advised the occupants to vacate the unauthorised structures peacefully.
The plea before the Supreme Court followed proceedings in the Allahabad High Court concerning unauthorised chambers and shops allegedly constructed by lawyers and others at the Lucknow court premises.
In its August 4 order, the High Court recorded that more than 100 illegally constructed chambers had been demolished pursuant to its directions. It also noted that 72 encroachments had initially been identified, of which only 14 were removed at the first stage, while further action was hindered by agitation by advocates.
The High Court gave the remaining encroachers another opportunity either to vacate the chambers and shops or establish a valid claim to occupy them. It directed that structures for which no valid claim was established could be demolished.
The exercise was ordered to be conducted on a Sunday to ensure that judicial work was not disrupted. The Lucknow Commissioner of Police, District Magistrate and Municipal Commissioner were also directed to coordinate the operation and provide administrative and police support to prevent any law-and-order situation.
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