India
oi-Swastika Sruti
A major demolition drive began in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow on Sunday as authorities started bulldozing around 240 lawyer chambers located outside the District Magistrate (DM) office near the old High Court complex.
Following a High Court order prompted by a PIL, Lucknow authorities began demolishing approximately 240 lawyer chambers near the District Magistrate’s office on Sunday due to illegal occupation of public land and obstructions, sparking protests from lawyers.
The anti-encroachment action was launched following directions from the High Court after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed alleging illegal occupation of public land in the area.
Heavy police deployment, bulldozers and municipal officials were seen at the site as the demolition drive triggered protests from lawyers and tense scenes across the area.
राजधानी लखनऊ में बाबा का बुलडोज़र वकीलों के चैंबरों पर चल गया। वकीलों का आरोप है कि उन्हें कोई पूर्व नोटिस नहीं दिया गया। यहां तक कि जहां क्रॉस का निशान नहीं था, वहां भी बुलडोज़र चला दिया गया।
बुलडोज़र चलाना कोई कानूनी या न्यायसंगत प्रक्रिया नहीं है। pic.twitter.com/BqIaUgGpV8
— RAHUL SINGH (@rsinghk47) May 17, 2026
High Court Order Led To Demolition Action
According to officials, the demolition drive was initiated after the High Court ordered removal of alleged encroachments around the old High Court complex, Sessions Court, Registry office and the DM office area.
Earlier this week, the municipal corporation pasted notices on the structures and marked them with red paint, directing occupants to remove the encroachments before May 16.
Authorities stated that several chambers had allegedly been constructed illegally over drains and public pathways near the Registry office route.
भाजपा सरकार का बुलडोज़र धीरे धीरे सबकी छत को तोड़ेगा !
जो लोग मुसलमानों के दलितों के अकबर नगर के घर टूटने से ख़ुश हो रहे थे वो लोग देख लें आज लखनऊ में वकीलों के चैम्बर पर बुलडोजर चल रहा है ।
और जो भी लोग इन चेंबरों को टूटते देख ख़ुश हो रहे हैं कल उनका भी नंबर आयेगा!
बुलडोज़र… pic.twitter.com/67PexbJHIL— Surendra Rajput (@ssrajputINC) May 17, 2026
Officials said the encroachments were causing obstruction in movement and creating difficulties for civic development and infrastructure management.
Lawyers Protest Against Bulldozer Action
The demolition operation sparked protests from lawyers, many of whom gathered at the Swasthya Bhawan crossing to oppose the action.
Several lawyers reportedly sat in front of bulldozers in an attempt to stop the demolition drive.
The situation became more tense when one of the bulldozers reportedly approached a chamber where an Akhand Ramayan recitation was taking place.
Visuals from the area showed lawyers shouting slogans and trying to block officials from proceeding with the demolition work.
Police Use Mild Force During Protest
As protests intensified, police personnel intervened to clear the area and allow the demolition operation to continue. According to reports, police used mild force to disperse the protesting lawyers after they attempted to stop the bulldozers.
Some lawyers later alleged that police personnel used lathis during the protest and claimed members of the Brahmin community were specifically targeted during the action.
However, officials maintained that only minimum force was used to manage the crowd and maintain law and order.
Hundreds Of Lawyers Depend On Chambers
The issue has triggered emotional reactions within the legal community because thousands of lawyers use the area around the Sessions Court complex for legal work and client meetings.
Reports suggest that Lucknow Sessions Court has around 27,000 lawyers, while the number of available authorised chambers remains limited.
Over time, several lawyers reportedly built temporary or permanent chambers near drains and open spaces around the court premises due to lack of infrastructure.
Following the demolition notices, some lawyers had already started removing parts of their structures voluntarily before the bulldozer action began.
Police Say Action Is Being Taken Under Court Orders
Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Kamlesh Dixit said the demolition was being carried out strictly under High Court orders.
“The action is being taken as per High Court orders. Lawyers are being persuaded to cooperate, and adequate police force has been deployed,” Dixit said while speaking about the operation.
Officials stressed that the administration was attempting to complete the drive peacefully despite resistance from protesters.
Encroachment Drives Continue Across Lucknow
This is not the first anti-encroachment drive carried out in Lucknow in recent years.
Authorities have previously removed encroachments from several public areas across the city as part of urban development and road expansion projects.
Such actions have often triggered protests and dissatisfaction from affected groups, especially when commercial or professional spaces are involved.
Officials argue that illegal constructions and encroachments create long-term problems including blocked drains, traffic congestion and obstacles to public infrastructure projects.
Tension Continues Around Court Complex
The demolition drive has now become one of the most discussed civic actions in Lucknow in recent weeks due to the involvement of lawyers and the emotionally charged protests.
Security remained tight around the old High Court and Sessions Court areas as bulldozers continued clearing marked structures.
Authorities are expected to continue monitoring the situation closely to prevent further clashes or disruption near the court complex.
Meanwhile, many lawyers continue demanding alternative arrangements and additional chamber facilities from the administration before such large-scale demolitions are carried out.
