Lawyers clash with police during demolition drive in Lucknow; injuries reported
Protesting supporters are dispersed by police using lathi charge during a demolition drive by the Municipal Corporation to remove chambers erected in front of a civil court in Kaiserbagh, Lucknow on May 17, 2026. | Photo credit: ANI
A chaotic situation developed in Lucknow around the Civil Court Complex on Sunday (May 17, 2026) after advocates clashed with the police over the demolition of chambers that had been constructed next to the complex. The structures were demolished by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation. The police used lathi charges to disperse the lawyers and injuries were reported. Police said the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had authorized the demolition. This locality falls under Wajirganj police station limits.
“In accordance with the order of the High Court, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation removed the illegal encroachments near the court premises. The police were present to maintain law and order. As the demolition proceeded, some anti-social elements protested and tried to obstruct the action; these elements were removed by the police and the demolition drive was successfully carried out. To maintain peace, the police remain at the spot,” an official Lucknow police statement said.
Excessive force
Lawyers accused the police of brutality and misconduct. “Excessive force was used against the lawyers. The police did not give us enough time. 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,” argued lawyer Adarsh Tiwari. Another lawyer, Indrijeet Singh, alleged that the police acted without empathy and treated the lawyers as enemies.
Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav said that “The breaking up of Bar Associations in Lucknow without any alternative provision being made for them and the lathi charge of learned advocates was highly undesirable and condemnable. When lawyers themselves become victims of injustice, then how will the common citizen get justice?” written by Mr Yadav on X
An indifferent government
Mr. Yadav added, “Is everything illegal except corrupt people who join BJP? Lawyers in Uttar Pradesh will get maps of homes, shops, offices and establishments of BJP members and their unregistered associates to find evidence of their legality or illegality and file petitions to demolish these illegal structures during the colonial freedom struggle. Lawyers who are not afraid of colonial power struggles and have driven out the biggest colonial freedom Unity and the solidarity of lawyers will defeat these corrupt BJP members and remove them forever.
“This attack on lawyers shows the incompetence of the local administration and the unbiased approach of the government. Lawyers are not only a professional group but also the watchdog of the constitution and democracy. The police attack on them is a symbol of the attack on the rule-based system. We demand strict action against those who attacked the lawyers. The demand was to hold a dialogue with the National Congress lawyers, Shahnawaz Alam,” said Shahnawaz Alam.
Published – 17 May 2026 21:12 IST