Tension gripped the Kaiserbagh area of Lucknow on Sunday after lawyers protested a demolition drive carried out near the District Court complex, forcing authorities to suspend the operation midway.
The drive was conducted jointly by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation and district police to remove alleged unauthorized lawyers’ chambers and shops constructed near the old High Court building and civil court premises.
According to officials, the action was undertaken following directions issued by the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court regarding illegal encroachments around the court complex.
The Allahabad High Court had recently expressed concern over unauthorized structures near the District and Sessions Court premises in Lucknow and directed civic authorities to clear the encroachments expeditiously.
The Court had also permitted authorities to seek police assistance for carrying out the exercise, if required.
Officials stated that notices had earlier been issued asking occupants to voluntarily remove the structures within the stipulated period. However, affected lawyers alleged that proper notices were not served before the demolition action began.
Municipal teams accompanied by heavy police deployment reached the area early Sunday morning and began removing structures identified as illegal encroachments.
Soon after, a large number of lawyers gathered at the site and strongly opposed the demolition exercise. Heated arguments broke out between advocates and administrative officials, escalating into a confrontation.
Police later used mild force and a limited lathi-charge to disperse the crowd and restore order. The unrest also created panic in the busy commercial area, prompting several nearby shopkeepers and street vendors to shut their establishments temporarily.
Authorities maintained that the demolition exercise was being conducted strictly in compliance with the Allahabad High Court’s directions concerning removal of encroachments near court premises.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Kamlesh Kumar Dixit said several unauthorized structures had already been removed before the operation was halted due to rising tensions.
Following the clash, senior officials temporarily suspended the demolition drive to prevent further law-and-order issues.
Authorities have now decided to hold discussions with representatives of the legal community regarding the future course of action. Police officials also confirmed that no FIR has been registered so far in connection with the protests.
