The Allahabad High Court has expressed deep concern over the repeated adjournments of a revenue court case in Ayodhya due to frequent strikes called by the local bar association. The case, involving Mohd. Najim Khan, has seen 68 out of 102 hearing dates adjourned because of boycotts or condolence calls by lawyers.
Case Background and Judicial Intervention
The petitioner, Mohd. Najim Khan, sought the court’s intervention to expedite proceedings in Case No. 1587 of 2024, pending before the revenue court in Rudauli, Ayodhya. The court noted that for the last 21 consecutive hearings since May 27, 2025, the case was adjourned due to strikes by the Rudauli Bar Association.
Justice Alok Mathur highlighted that such strikes violate Supreme Court rulings, including Ex-Capt. Harish Uppal vs. Union of India (2003) and Hussain vs. Union of India (2017), which prohibit lawyers from boycotting court proceedings. The court also referenced its own judgment in Vinod Kumar vs. Naib Tehsildar, emphasizing that strikes disrupt judicial work and harm litigants.
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"Lawyers have no right to go on strike or give a call for boycott, not even on a token strike."
- Supreme Court in District Bar Association, Dehradun vs. Ishwar Shandilya (2020)
Notice Issued to Bar Association Officials
The court directed the petitioner to implead the President and General Secretary of the Rudauli Bar Association as respondents. Notices were issued to them to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated for willfully disregarding judicial directives. The officials must appear in person on September 2, 2025, with affidavits justifying the frequent boycotts.
The court warned that such strikes amount to professional misconduct and contempt of court. It reiterated that bar associations cannot coerce lawyers into participating in strikes, and any threats of expulsion or coercion are unlawful.
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The repeated adjournments due to bar strikes have left litigants in distress, delaying justice indefinitely. The Allahabad High Court’s stern stance underscores the need for lawyers to uphold their duty to the judiciary and avoid actions that hinder court proceedings. The upcoming hearing on September 2 will determine further action against the bar association officials.
Case Title: Mohd. Najim Khan vs. The Tahsildar / Assistant Collector First Class, Pargana, Tahsil Rudauli, Ayodhya & Others
Case No.:MATTERS UNDER ARTICLE 227 No. - 4868 of 2025
