The ongoing Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh has caused heavy traffic and roadblocks, leading to multiple case adjournments at the Allahabad High Court in recent weeks.

On Monday, the Court postponed the hearing of Alt News journalist Mohammad Zubair’s plea to quash a criminal case filed against him by supporters of Yati Narsinghanand, the priest of Ghaziabad’s Dasna Devi Temple. The case involves allegations of promoting enmity.

A bench of Justice Siddhartha Varma and Justice Yogendra Kumar Srivastava adjourned the matter, stating that parties could not reach the Court due to traffic congestion in Prayagraj.

"No adverse order is being passed today due to traffic restrictions, as all parties were unable to attend," a counsel informed.

Following the delay, the Court extended Zubair’s interim protection from arrest until February 17, the next hearing date.

Lawyers have also requested judges not to pass adverse orders when they are unable to appear due to traffic.

In response, a bench of Justice SD Singh and Justice Dr. Gautam Chowdhary postponed a criminal appeal on January 27. Similar adjournments have been granted in other cases, even though the High Court provides virtual hearing options via Webex.

Meanwhile, NDTV reported on Monday that thousands of devotees traveling to the Maha Kumbh are stuck in massive traffic jams stretching hundreds of kilometers on routes to Prayagraj.