The demand for a High Court bench in Western Uttar Pradesh has once again flared up, with the Pashchim Uttar Pradesh Uchch Nyayalay Bench Sthapna Kendriya Sangharsh Samiti announcing a complete boycott of judicial work across all 22 districts of the region on Monday.
This decision was taken during a video conference on Sunday morning, where the committee held a meeting with the bar presidents and general secretaries of all 22 districts in Western UP. In Meerut, the court chambers, registry office, and legal shops will remain shut, and lawyers will stage protests in support of their long-pending demand.
Protest Planned During CM’s Visit to Meerut and Saharanpur
The protest is expected to coincide with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s visit to Meerut and Saharanpur for divisional review meetings. Advocates have decided to seek time from the Chief Minister to present their memorandum. “If we are denied an audience, we will register our protest and demonstrate at the venues,” said Rajendra Singh Rana, Convenor of the Central Committee and General Secretary of the Meerut Bar Association.
Sanjay Sharma, President of the Meerut Bar Association and Chairman of the Central Committee, stated during a press conference that the legal fraternity in Western UP feels neglected. “Both the Centre and State governments are treating the region unfairly. Despite our heavy caseload, we are still deprived of a bench,” he said.
‘Bench Denied Despite 40% Case Load from Western UP’
The committee pointed out that over 12 lakh cases are pending in the Allahabad High Court, with more than 40 percent originating from Western UP. “This region is burdened with pendency, yet it lacks accessible judicial infrastructure. Our demand is legitimate and long overdue,” said Rana.
He added that lawyers in all 22 districts will remain off judicial duty on Monday. In Meerut, all court-related establishments, including lawyers’ chambers and registry offices, will be shut. Protests and dharnas will be held at various district headquarters, and memoranda will be submitted to local administrations.
‘Movement Will Not End Without Result’
Senior advocates present at the press meet said the movement will only intensify if ignored. “This time, we will not back down without achieving our goal,” they declared.
Among those present were Bar Association General Secretary Amit Rana, former presidents Gajendra Singh Dhama, Anil Bakhshi, M.P. Sharma, D.D. Sharma, Kunwar Pal Sharma, Prabodh Sharma, Naresh Sharma, Nepal Singh Som, Suresh Pal, Tarun Kumar, Anil Sehgal, and Jitendra Singh Bana.
