Lawyers at the Allahabad High Court stopped work to protest the non-appointment of judges. Bar Association president Anil Tiwari stated that the court’s sanctioned strength is 160, but currently, only 55 judges are in place. Additionally, 23 judges are serving at the Lucknow bench. The protest highlights the urgent need for judicial appointments.
The work at the Allahabad High Court came to a stay as lawyers stopped attending judicial duties to protest the decreasing number of judges and the proposed Advocates (Amendment) Bill. The High Court Bar Association (HCBA) decided on Thursday to stop work to highlight their demands.
According to the HCBA’s resolution, lawyers gathered at the main gate of the high court on Friday morning and refused to enter the court premises.
HCBA President Anil Tiwari stated that the authorized strength of judges for the Allahabad High Court is 160; however, the court currently has only 55 judges, with 23 judges serving at its Lucknow bench.
The lawyers pointed out that the insufficient number of judges has led to an increasing backlog of cases, as many have not been addressed for several months. The HCBA is calling not only for the fulfillment of the sanctioned judge positions but also for an increase in this number to manage the growing caseload.
Additionally, the lawyers protested against the draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill proposed by the central government, arguing that its provisions threaten the interests of advocates and the autonomy of the bar association.
The government intends to amend the Advocates Act of 1961, introducing significant changes to the definitions of legal practitioners and law graduates.
The draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025, defines a law graduate as someone who has earned a bachelor’s degree in law whether a three-year or five-year program from any legally established educational institution or university recognized by the Bar Council of India.
The problem of vacant judge positions is not new. Many High Courts across India face the same issue because the process of appointing judges is often delayed. This happens due to government paperwork and disagreements between the Supreme Court Collegium and the Central Government.
The Allahabad High Court, which is the top court in Uttar Pradesh, is hit the hardest. This is because UP has a huge population and a large number of pending cases.
For years, lawyers and legal experts have asked the government to speed up the appointment of judges so that courts can work properly. Even though the Collegium has recommended many names, many appointments are still waiting for approval.