Recently, the Allahabad High Court strongly condemned acts of intimidation meant to deter individuals from approaching the judiciary, holding such conduct as the "most serious of criminal contempts ". The Court was dealing with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning alleged illegal felling and theft of government-owned trees in the Fatehpur district.
In his plea, the petitioner, appearing in person, claimed that attempts were made to coerce him into withdrawing the PIL. It was alleged that Respondent assaulted the petitioner’s brother and other family members as a form of intimidation. When they attempted to report the assault to the local police station, Respondent, described as a man with criminal antecedents, allegedly manipulated the system to have a counter FIR registered first against the petitioner and his original complainant. The FIR from the petitioner’s side, according to the pleadings, was lodged later, granting procedural advantage to the respondent.
Represented by C.S.C. Azad Rai, the respondent was also accused in a supplementary affidavit of ongoing threats. The petitioner alleged that Respondent continued to threaten his father, mother, and brother, demanding the withdrawal of the PIL. He also claimed that his entire family faced serious danger as a result of pursuing the matter.
Taking serious note of the allegations, the Bench of Justice J.J. Munir observed, “No one in the country can threaten or obstruct a person from approaching the Court and seeking his remedies. This is the biggest impediment affecting the course of justice and, therefore, the most serious of criminal contempts.”
The Court found these assertions deeply troubling, especially the continuous intimidation alleged in the affidavit. Terming such conduct as a grave challenge to the judicial system and public interest litigation, the Court directed that summons be issued to Respondent and ordered the matter to be treated as a separate criminal contempt case.
The Court has now scheduled the case for further hearing on August 13, 2025, marking a strong stance against interference in judicial proceedings and threats to litigants exercising their constitutional rights.
Case Title: Amit Singh Parihar vs. State of U.P. and Others
Case No.: Public Interest Litigation (PIL) No. - 1324 Of 2025
Coram: Justice J.J. Munir
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