SC to consider plea challenging demolition of lawyers’ chambers near Lucknow court

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider listing a plea challenging an Allahabad High Court order for demolition of lawyers’ chambers allegedly built on public land near the Lucknow District Court complex, with demolition action scheduled for August 30

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider listing a plea challenging an Allahabad High Court order directing the demolition of lawyers’ chambers allegedly constructed by encroaching upon public land near the Lucknow District Court complex.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was told by a counsel that demolition notices have been issued and the action is scheduled for August 30.

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The CJI initially asked the lawyer why the high court could not be approached.

The counsel responded that the demolition directions had themselves been issued by the high court.

“They must be unauthorised chambers,” the CJI said.

The lawyer, however, submitted that the chambers have been in existence for around 40 years.

“We will see,” the CJI said, without specifying a date for hearing.

The CJI said the lawyers can file their replies to the demolition notices. The counsel said the notices had been issued with the intention of proceeding with demolition.

On August 6, the Allahabad High Court directed the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) to issue notices to 72 alleged encroachers, most of them advocates, in connection with chambers and other structures allegedly built over public pathways or public utility land near the Lucknow District Court complex.

The high court directed the alleged encroachers either to vacate the structures or establish their lawful right over the land and constructions.

In the event of failure to do so, the LMC was directed to proceed with demolition.