Lucknow Demolition Drive Targets Encroachments Near Court Complex

Demolition of 240 lawyer chambers outside the District Magistrate office in Lucknow started on 17 May. The action targets alleged encroachments near the old High Court complex and adjoining government buildings. Police presence increased as some lawyers protested and tried to obstruct bulldozers during the demolition drive.

The protest focused on the Swasthya Bhawan crossing, where lawyers sat in front of machines. One bulldozer moved towards a chamber where an Akhand Ramayan recitation was underway, triggering anger. Police then used mild force to clear the area. Some lawyers later claimed batons were used against Brahmins during the agitation.

Lucknow demolition drive and encroachment details

Officials state that many chambers were built over a drain near the Registry office route. These structures stood close to the Sessions Court, the old High Court complex, and the District Magistrate office. Some lawyers, aware of the action, had already begun dismantling parts of their own encroachments before bulldozers arrived.

There are about 27,000 practising lawyers in the Lucknow Sessions Court, but chamber space is limited. This shortage is seen as one reason some lawyers allegedly extended or raised chambers over public land. The current demolition targets 240 chambers identified as encroachments by authorities after a court-monitored process.

The current action follows a Public Interest Litigation that challenged these chambers as encroachments. Acting on the petition, the High Court ordered demolition. On the Tuesday before the drive, the municipal corporation pasted notices on the chambers and marked them in red, giving occupants until 16 May to clear structures.

लखनऊ: अवैध चैंबरों पर बुलडोजर एक्शन
जिला कोर्ट के आसपास चैंबर,दुकानों पर कार्रवाई
हाईकोर्ट के आदेश के बाद बुलडोजर एक्शन
240 अवैध कब्जों को हटाया जा रहा है
बुलडोजर एक्शन का वकीलों ने विरोध किया
नगर निगम की टीम द्वारा तोड़ा जा रहा
मौके पर नगर निगम के अधिकारी मौजूद
भारी संख्या में… pic.twitter.com/pzTlFRDBml

— Roshan Kumar Journalist (@cameraman_r) May 17, 2026

Lucknow demolition drive and police response

Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Kamlesh Dixit said the police role is based on court directions. "The action is being taken as per High Court orders. Lawyers are being persuaded to cooperate, and an adequate police force has been deployed," Dixit said. Police teams remained on-site as demolition work progressed.

Lucknow demolition drive and wider anti-encroachment context

Authorities point out that similar anti-encroachment drives have taken place earlier at different spots in Lucknow. Those past campaigns also drew objections from affected people and local groups. Officials argue that leaving such structures intact can create long-term civic issues and obstruct government development projects and basic urban services.

The current Lucknow exercise around the District Magistrate office shows that authorities are enforcing the High Court order, despite protests by some lawyers. Demolition of the 240 marked chambers, combined with voluntary removal by a few occupants, is reshaping the area around key court and administrative buildings while public debate over encroachment continues.