Historical Background of High Court of Uttar Pradesh | Course for UPPSC Preparation - UPPSC (UP) PDF Download

The judiciary in Uttar Pradesh comprises the Allahabad High Court and a network of lower courts known as the district courts, with the High Court serving as the apex court in the state. The Indian High Courts Act of 1861 established the High Courts as the primary civil courts with original jurisdiction in each state and union territory. However, the High Court exercises this jurisdiction only when the subordinate courts lack the authority to handle such matters due to territorial limitations.
As per Article 214 of the Indian Constitution, every state should have a High Court, and the appointment of High Court judges is done by the President in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, the Governor of the State, and the Chief Justice of the relevant High Court. Removal of a High Court judge during their tenure requires a resolution passed by a 2/3rd majority in Parliament, based on the President's decision. The High Court of Uttar Pradesh is situated in Allahabad.

Historical Background of High Court of Uttar Pradesh

• Allahabad initially became the seat of the Government of North-Western Provinces in 1834, where a High Court was established. However, it was relocated to Agra within a year. The Allahabad High Court, originally founded as the High Court of Judicature for the North-Western Provinces at Agra on March 17, 1866, replaced the old Sadar Diwani Adalat under the Indian High Courts Act, 1861. The court was officially established in Allahabad on June 11, 1866.
• Before Independence, Sir Walter Morgan (1866-1871) and Mr. Simpson served as the first Chief Justice and Registrar, respectively. The court building was constructed by Khan Saheb Nizamuddin of Loha Mundi, Agra. The last British Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court was Sir Edward Grimwood Mears (1919-1932).
• On February 25, 1948, the Chief Court of Oudh was merged with the High Court of Allahabad. The court's seat is in Prayagraj, and it maintains a permanent circuit bench in Lucknow. The Allahabad High Court has a sanctioned strength of 160 judges.
• Following independence, Bidhu Bhushan Malik served as the first Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court from 1947 to 1955. Article 226 empowers the high courts, including Allahabad High Court, to issue directions, orders, or writs to any person or authority, including the government in appropriate cases, such as habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto, certiorari, or any of them.

Chief Justices of Allahabad High Court (After Independence)