In a dramatic development arising out of a writ petition filed under Criminal Miscellaneous Writ Petition No. 5963 of 2025, the Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow Bench has dismissed a Couple’s plea seeking protection from police harassment, initiated proceedings for perjury, and directed the eviction of an unauthorized marriage center allegedly run by lawyers from a chamber within the court premises.
Petition and Allegations
The case was filed by one Arun Kumar Yadav, claiming to represent both himself and a woman named Shivani Yadav, who he alleged had married him willingly. The petition sought a direction to restrain the police and others from harassing the couple at the behest of Shivani’s family. It included a purported marriage certificate issued by “Pragtisheel Hindu Samaj Nyas” and photographs showing the alleged ceremony taking place at “Brahmastra Legal Associates,” Chamber No. 31, Old CSC Building, Kesarbagh, Lucknow.
Judicial Action and Spot Inspection
Taking serious note of these disclosures and the potential misuse of Court premises, the Bench comprising Justices Sangeeta Chandra and Brij Raj Singh directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police and the Station House Officer of Wazirganj Police Station to inspect Chamber No. 31 immediately. Simultaneously, the District & Sessions Judge, Lucknow, was asked to dispatch officers from the Infrastructure Sub-Committee to verify and document the status of the chamber.
Findings and Report
In the post-lunch hearing, photographs and a detailed report were submitted by the SHO Wazirganj, confirming the existence of a setup resembling a wedding center in Chamber No. 31. The chamber door displayed mobile numbers of two advocates—Raghvendra Mishra Hindu and Vipin Chaurasia—along with the label “Brahmastra Legal Associates.” The SHO reported that Raghvendra Mishra admitted to conducting marriage ceremonies from the chamber, complete with photography and rituals.
Further photographic evidence provided by court officers revealed decorations, a locked chamber, and marriage certificates of other couples inside, pointing to systemic unauthorized use of the facility. The Court remarked that such activity amounted to encroachment and alteration of court property. It also expressed doubt about the validity of the alleged marriages, noting the absence of essential Hindu rites like “Saptapadi.”
Dismissal and Legal Consequences
After hearing arguments and examining the records, the Court concluded that the writ petition was not filed by Shivani Yadav herself and therefore dismissed the petition. It held that the affidavit filed by Arun Kumar Yadav was apparently false and directed initiation of perjury proceedings under Sections 340 and 195 of the Criminal Procedure Code and the Indian Penal Code. The matter has been referred to the concerned Magistrate for appropriate action.
Broader Implications and Administrative Measures
The Court also ordered that the matter be placed before the Division Bench dealing with suo motu public interest litigations to examine “unsavory activities” by advocates within the Lucknow District Court premises. It emphasized that all relevant photographs and documents be retained in the court record.
Significantly, the Bench directed the District & Sessions Judge to ensure the immediate eviction of Raghvendra Mishra Hindu and Vipin Chaurasia from Chamber No. 31 and to erase the labels “Brahmastra Legal Associates” and “Pragtisheel Hindu Samaj Nyas” from the chamber door within two days. The Wazirganj police were authorized to assist in this eviction, if necessary.
The matter is scheduled to be placed before the appropriate Division Bench on July 11, 2025, for further action.
