District judge apologises to the High Court for opposing a lawyer’s namaz

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) – The Allahabad High Court summoned NIA’s Special Judge (Additional District and Sessions Judge) Vivekanand Sharan Tripathi for commenting on the namaz reading of a Muslim lawyer Mohammad Idris. Consequently,

Judge Tripathi apologised unconditionally to the High Court on 15^th April. In reality, Idris frequently left the courtroom for namaz, prompting the judge to appoint an amicus curiae to represent the defendant.

District judge forced to seek forgiveness from the High Court for not allowing some advocates to offer their Namaz !#UttarPradeshNews pic.twitter.com/b1sS8rSCVh

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) April 19, 2024

1. Objecting to this decision of Judge Tripathi, Mohammad Idris approached the Allahabad High Court.

2. Justice Shamim Ahmed of the High Court declared this as discrimination based on religion, violating Article 15 of the Constitution which provides for religious freedom and thus summoned Judge Tripathi. As a result, Judge Tripathi went to the High Court and unconditionally apologised before the judges.

3. During the hearing, some Muslim lawyers requested the Court adjourn for some time on Fridays to attend namaz. Judge Vivekanand Sharan Tripathi denied this request, ordering that an amicus curiae will represent the defendant whenever Muslim lawyers leave for Namaz.