Lawyers End 18-Day Protest in Bareilly Following Administrative Assurances

A protracted 18-day strike by lawyers at the Baheri Tehsil in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, concluded on Monday after District Magistrate (DM) Avinash Singh provided formal assurances regarding the transfer of local administrative officials. The protest, which paralyzed judicial work at the tehsil, ended following a negotiated agreement between the Advocate Practitioners Association and district authorities.

Why the Lawyers Protested

The strike originated from grievances regarding the professional conduct of Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Udit Pawar and Naib Tehsildar Shiva Verma. According to the Advocate Practitioners Association, led by President Shishupal Singh Gangwar, the legal fraternity had been boycotting court proceedings for over a week, eventually escalating their presence to a sit-in demonstration outside the SDM’s office. The lawyers alleged that the administrative style of these officials hindered the efficient functioning of the tehsil courts, prompting the collective decision to cease all legal operations until a personnel change occurred.

Terms of the Resolution

The standoff reached a turning point when intelligence reports indicated that the protest was scheduled to intensify on Monday. In response, CO LIU (Local Intelligence Unit) Vijay Rana facilitated a dialogue between a seven-member committee of the association and the District Magistrate. During a telephonic conversation with association president Shishupal Singh Gangwar, DM Avinash Singh committed to the following administrative actions:

• SDM Transfer: The District Magistrate confirmed that SDM Udit Pawar will be transferred out of the district in the first week of July.
• Tehsil Staffing: The administration agreed to remove Naib Tehsildar Shiva Verma from his current position at the Baheri Tehsil shortly.

Impact on Judicial Operations

The 18-day cessation of work caused a significant backlog of cases at the Baheri Tehsil, affecting litigants and pending property and revenue matters. While the protest has officially ended, the resumption of full court operations is expected to take time as the backlog is addressed. The resolution highlights the ongoing tension between local administrative officials and the bar associations in Uttar Pradesh, where disputes over administrative jurisdiction frequently lead to prolonged work stoppages.

Key Details of the Agreement

With the assurance provided by the District Magistrate, the Advocate Practitioners Association has resumed its professional duties. The administration now faces the task of ensuring a smooth transition of leadership within the tehsil to prevent further disruptions to the local justice system.