Observing that no one can threaten a person from approaching the Court, the Allahabad High Court termed such interference as the 'biggest impediment' affecting the course of justice and, therefore, amounting to the 'most serious of criminal contempts'.
The Bench of Justice JJ Munir made these observations while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea filed by one Amit Singh Parihar alleging illegal felling and theft of government-owned trees in a village in Fatehpur district.
Essentially, in a supplementary affidavit filed on July 31, 2025, the petitioner alleged that in an attempt to browbeat him into withdrawing the PIL plea, respondent no. 9 (Narendra Singh) had assaulted his brother and other family members.
He also alleged that the respondent used his connections with the police and registered an FIR against the complainants first, while the FIR lodged by the petitioner's side was registered later.
The petitioner, appearing in person, also stated that respondent no. 9 continues to threaten his father, mother and brother, asking them to withdraw the present Public Interest Litigation. He also asserted in his affidavit that this would bring a great peril to his entire family.
Taking note of the definitive allegation of threats made by the Petitioner, Justice Munir remarked thus:
"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".
However, before passing any further orders in the matter, the Court directed respondent no. 9, to appear in person before the Court on August 13.
Importantly, the Court also directed the Superintendent of Police, Fatehpur, to file an affidavit by the next date on the allegations made by the petitioner against the SHO concerned regarding alleged manipulation and siding with respondent no. 9.
Case title - Amit Singh Parihar Vs. State Of U.P. And 8 Others
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