Clear remaining encroachments from Lucknow court premises in 5 weeks: Court

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has ordered authorities to clear all remaining illegal encroachments from the district and sessions court premises within five weeks.

In Short

• Bench noted 57 additional illegal structures were cleared after earlier action
• Authorities must follow August safeguards before removing the remaining constructions
• Seventy-two occupants earlier got a final chance to prove possession

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has directed authorities to remove all remaining illegal encroachments from the district and sessions court premises and surrounding areas in Lucknow within five weeks, if possible.

A bench of Justices Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Rajeev Bharti passed the order on Friday while hearing two petitions concerning encroachments on the court premises and other public places in the city.

The court noted that 14 illegal structures were initially removed following its earlier directions, while 57 more encroachments have since been cleared. The Lucknow Municipal Corporation’s Zone-1 zonal officer also submitted a September 8 report with photographs of the structures removed.

However, the bench said the exercise was still incomplete and directed authorities to remove the remaining encroachments in accordance with its April 7 order.

The court also directed officials to follow the safeguards laid down in its August 4 order while carrying out the drive.

Under that order, the 72 remaining encroachers were to be given a final opportunity to vacate their chambers or shops or establish before the competent authority the legal basis for their possession. If they failed to do so, authorities could demolish the illegal structures.

The court had also directed that if notices could not be served, they should be published in one Hindi and one English newspaper, giving the affected persons at least 10 days to respond. To prevent disruption to judicial work, the court allowed the demolition drive to be carried out on Sundays.

The bench directed the police commissioner, district magistrate and municipal commissioner to coordinate and provide adequate administrative and police support to the municipal authorities during the exercise.

The matter will next be heard on October 26.

- Ends