Lawyers clash with police during demolition drive in Lucknow; injuries reported

A chaotic situation developed in Lucknow around the civil court complex on Sunday (May 17, 2026) after advocates clashed with police over the demolition of chambers that had been built adjacent to the complex. The structures were razed by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation. Police used a lathi charge to disperse the lawyers, and injuries have been reported. Police said the demolition was sanctioned by the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court. The locality falls under the Wajirganj police station limits.

“Complying with the High Court’s order, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation removed illegal encroachments near the court complex. Police were present to maintain law and order. As the demolition progressed, some anti-social elements protested and attempted to obstruct the action; such elements were removed by the police, and the demolition drive was conducted successfully. To maintain peace, police remain at the spot,” an official statement from the Lucknow police said.

Excessive force

Lawyers accused the police of brutality and misconduct. “Excessive force was used against lawyers. We were not given enough time by the police. Uttar Pradesh is becoming a police state. This brutal beating is a crime against us, all the lawyers in the State are with the lawyers in Lucknow who faced this barbaric behaviour,” alleged Adarsh Tiwari, a lawyer. Another lawyer, Indrijeet Singh, alleged that the police acted with a complete lack of empathy and treated the lawyers like enemies.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) president, Akhilesh Yadav said that “Breaking the lawyers chambers in Lucknow without making alternative arrangements for them and lathi charging the learned advocates was highly objectionable and condemnable. When lawyers themselves become victims of injustice, then how will the common citizen get justice?” wrote Mr. Yadav, on X.

Indifferent government

Mr. Yadav added, “Is everything illegal except the corrupt people joining the BJP? Lawyers in Uttar Pradesh will obtain maps of homes, shops, offices, and establishments of BJP members and their unregistered associates, to find evidence of their legality or illegality, and will file petitions for the demolition of these illegal constructions. The lawyers who defeated and drove out the world’s largest colonial power during the freedom struggle are not afraid of that colonial power’s informants. The unity and solidarity of the lawyers will defeat these corrupt BJP members and remove them forever. We appeal that the lawyers injured in the lathicharge be provided free treatment and compensation should also be given for the loss of their work.”

“This attack on lawyers shows the incompetence of the local administration and the unconcerned attitude of the government. Lawyers are not only a professional group but also a watchdog of the Constitution and democracy. The attack by the police on them is a symbol of an assault on a rule-based system. We demand strict action against those who attacked the lawyers. The requirement was to hold dialogue with lawyers,” said Shahnawaz Alam, National Secretary of the Congress.