12 courts start work from old HC building

Twelve courts, which used to function from the multistory building at the district court, have been shifted to the old high court campus.

All these courts started functioning from the old high court building on Monday. The old high court campus adjacent to the district court was lying vacant after the high court was shifted to the new building in Gomti Nagar in October last year.

Five special CBI courts, two special courts of the Prevention of Corruption Act, one special court of the Essential Commodities Act, the court of additional district judge (I) (Fast track), two courts of additional district judge and court of special judge (Ayurvedic Scam) started functioning from the old high court building.

In addition, the special CBI court (Ayodhya case) had started functioning from the old high court campus on September 5.

Justice Dilip Babasaheb Bhosale, chief justice of the Allahabad high court, had given his consent to shifting the courts.

The CJ, however, has also warned against any encroachment by lawyers in the old high court building. If any lawyer is found encroaching on the old high court campus, then the district judge, bar associations and the high court will take action against him.

Over the next month, all courts of the additional district judges will be shifted to the old high court campus from the district court campus.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will continue to ensure security at the old high campus like it used to do before the high court was shifted to the new building in Gomti Nagar.

At present, lawyers enter the campus from gate number six. Litigants are allowed entry on the court campus along with their lawyers. They cannot enter the court independently.

“The high court has also given permission to us for opening a gate connecting the district court and the high court from within the campus. This gate will be opened during the auspicious Navratra week,” said Brijesh Tripathi, general secretary, Central Bar Association.

Lawyers are upbeat about shifting of courts to the old high court building. “It is a welcome move. Working atmosphere is definitely good at the old high court campus. Gradually, things will improve further for lawyers working at the district court,” said Rohit Kant, a lawyer.

The court of the chief justice at the old high court building is likely to be converted into a museum.