The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has sought responses from the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh, the Central Bar Association, the State Government, and the administrative wing of the High Court in a matter concerning the operation of a marriage centre by advocates within a chamber at the old High Court campus in Kaiserbagh. The case arose from a criminal writ petition during which the court became aware of the unusual use of the chamber, prompting it to register a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL).
A bench comprising Justices A R Masoodi and Shree Prakash Singh took cognizance of a police report that indicated the chamber was adorned with flowers and arrangements were made to conduct a marriage ceremony on the premises. Taking note of the gravity of the matter and the potential implications for the sanctity and decorum of the court premises, the bench directed the initiation of PIL proceedings to examine whether such use of judicial infrastructure by members of the legal fraternity was permissible or in violation of professional and institutional norms. In its preliminary hearing, the court emphasized the need to obtain the official stance of the concerned stakeholders, including the High Court’s administrative side, the regulatory body for lawyers in the state, and the relevant bar association. Accordingly, notices have been issued to all respondents, directing them to present their views on the matter. The next hearing has been scheduled for July 22. The outcome of this case may have broader implications regarding the regulation of conduct by advocates within court premises and the permissible use of chambers allotted for professional legal purposes.
