The Allahabad High Court recently directed its Registry to place on record details regarding the availability and nature of facilities for persons with disabilities within the High Court premises. This order came after a petitioner with locomotor disability — who required a wheelchair — experienced serious difficulty entering the courtroom and accessing court buildings due to lack of immediate assistance or support.
When the petitioner arrived for his hearing, he was initially left to struggle on his own. Only after the bench noticed his physical condition was a wheelchair arranged by the Registry and assistance provided to help him reach the courtroom. The Court found this delay and lack of preparedness deeply troubling and described the ordeal as “detrimental to the dignity” of the petitioner. The bench, led by Ajay Bhanot and Garima Prashad, emphasised that while the Court has a duty to ensure access and dignity for persons with disabilities, the failure to provide timely assistance amounted to a serious lapse.
In regard to the actual case pending before the Court, the petitioners — a married couple — sought protection from threats allegedly posed by the wife’s family. The husband, who has the locomotor disability, had joined the wife despite opposition from her parents. Observing their situation and the physical vulnerability of the husband, the Court granted interim protection to the couple. It directed the local police authorities of Agra to ensure their security, and asked the State to file a counter-affidavit before the next listing date. If no counter-affidavit is filed, the Court indicated it may summon the Deputy Commissioner of Police in person.
Beyond the immediate case, the Court’s principal concern was the structural failure: it directed the Registry to compile and report in writing on what support infrastructure — such as wheelchairs, ramps, assistance staff — is available for persons with disabilities attending court. This includes not only physical access but also adequate communication of these facilities so that persons with disabilities can request and receive assistance in a timely manner.
The order reflects the Court’s recognition that persons with disabilities may face multiple barriers when seeking access to justice — especially mobility barriers within court premises. By insisting on documentation of available facilities and publicising the same through the Registry, the Court signalled its commitment to ensuring that persons with disabilities are not denied effective access to the courts because of infrastructural or administrative oversight.
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