[Coronavirus Lockdown]: Allahabad HC extends life of interim/bail orders to April 26, suspends demolition orders for one month

While dealing with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the Allahabad High Court has issued special directions pertaining to interim orders, demolition and bail orders in view of the 21-day Coronavirus lockdown. [In re vs State of U.P].The directions were passed passed by a Bench comprising of Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Samit Gopal under Articles 226 and 227 to ensure that litigants do not suffer on account of inability to approach court. The directions issued are as follows.1. All interim orders passed by the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad as well as at Lucknow, all the District Courts, Civil Courts, Family Courts, Labour Courts, Industrial Tribunals and all other Tribunals in the State over which this Court has power of superintendence, which have been expired subsequent to 19th March, 2020 or are due to expire within a period of one month from today, will continue to operate upto 26th April, 2020. We, however, make it clear that those interim orders which are not of a limited duration and are to operate till further orders will remain unaffected.2. All Bail/anticipatory bail orders which are likely to expire in one month from today will stand extended for a period of one month. 3. All eviction, dispossession or demolition orders already passed by the High Court, District or Civil Courts shall remain in abeyance for a period of one month..Further, the Court urged the authorities to go 'slow' in taking action on demolition and eviction of persons during this period. In this regard, the order reads, ."Considering the fact that it will be practically impossible for the citizens to approach the Courts for redressal of their grievances for a period of twenty one days specified in the order of the Ministry of Home Affairs dated 24th March 2020, we sincerely hope that the State Government, Municipal Authorities and the agencies and instrumentalities of the State Government will be slow in taking action of demolition and eviction of persons." [Read order here]