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Synopsis

The Allahabad High Court has directed the police and civil administration to take immediate measures to ensure that legal proceedings are not disrupted due to heavy traffic congestion caused by the ongoing Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. The order came in response to difficulties faced by advocates in reaching the court on time.

The issue arose in a writ petition, where repeated adjournments were sought due to extreme traffic conditions. The petitioners, represented by advocates Prashant Gaur and Saurabh Kumar Pandey, had filed a case against the State of Uttar Pradesh and other respondents, with government counsels C.S.C., R.K. Paramhans Singh, and Rameshwar Prasad Shukla appearing for the state.

The bench of Justice J.J. Munir, while acknowledging the unprecedented influx of people due to the Mahakumbh, emphasized that it was the responsibility of the police to ensure smooth access to the court for lawyers. The bench held that any obstruction in the movement of legal professionals impairs the administration of justice. It stressed that the judiciary’s functioning cannot be brought to a standstill due to external contingencies and directed the police to take special measures to address the issue.

"Special measures have to be made in this regard," the bench said.

Court adjourned the matter for a third time and re-listed it for hearing on February 18, 2025. It also ordered that the directions be communicated to the Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, via the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Allahabad, for necessary compliance.

Case Title: Harkhu And 2 Others vs. State Of U.P. And 8 Others