The Allahabad High Court, in a firm move, has served criminal contempt notices to ten advocates allegedly involved in assaulting litigants within the premises of the Prayagraj District Court. Additionally, the Court has prohibited their entry into the District Judgeship at Prayagraj.

Furthermore, the Court directs the Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, to ensure the provision of sufficient police force, as directed by the District Judge, Prayagraj, to facilitate the seamless operation of the Court.

The Court has further instructed the Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, to designate a responsible officer, not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, to provide detailed criminal histories of all individuals who have been served notices in the current contempt case. Additionally, the Court has mandated the disclosure of the status of the investigation or any actions taken in this regard, as stated in its order issued on Monday.

The division bench issued this order in response to a reference sent by the Prayagraj district judge. In the same matter, on April 30, the High Court had prohibited two lawyers from entering the Prayagraj District Court premises and practicing before any court in the State due to their alleged involvement in assaulting a litigant.

On Monday, the Court became aware of the involvement of an additional 10 advocates in the alleged incident through a report submitted by the District Judge, Prayagraj, in compliance with the Division bench's order dated April 30th.

As per the reference forwarded by the Prayagraj district judge, certain advocates entered the senior division court premises and exerted pressure on the Presiding Officer to prioritize a specific suit. Reportedly, the litigants involved in the aforementioned case were subjected to physical assault within the Court premises, and the Presiding Officer was also subjected to ill-treatment.

In her order, the Presiding Officer noted that the President of the Bar attempted to mediate the situation, yet the two specified advocates purportedly disregarded his efforts. Consequently, the President of the Bar Association opted to leave the Court premises in order to ensure his own safety.

Following this, the crowd that had gathered in support of the unscrupulous lawyers proceeded to the dais and physically assaulted two litigants. As the litigants attempted to seek refuge by entering the chamber, the supporters of the two advocates also entered the Presiding Officer's chamber and physically assaulted the litigants therein.

The Presiding Officer had to urgently seek refuge in the chamber of the Chief Judicial Magistrate to ensure her safety. It was only after a considerable delay that the police personnel arrived, allowing the Presiding Officer to finally return to her own chamber. In its order, the High Court took cognizance of the entire incident and remarked that such occurrences present a significant challenge to the effective operation of the judicial system.