A wave of protests erupted in Kushinagar district, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday, February 16, 2026, as lawyers demonstrated against the recent killings of advocates in other parts of the state. Members of the Kलेक्ट्रेट Bar Association, Khadda tehsil, submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate of Kushinagar, addressed to the Uttar Pradesh government, demanding increased security for legal professionals.
The protest specifically referenced the murders of Sanjay Saxena, an advocate in Shivpuri (Karera), Farukh, an advocate in Rampur and Shuaib Kidwai, an advocate in Barabanki. The lawyers’ memorandum expressed growing concerns about their safety, stating that the incidents have created a climate of fear within the legal community.
The Khadda Bar Association joined a state-wide symbolic strike called for by Narendra Verma, President of the Barabanki District Bar Association, in response to the killings. Lawyers suspended judicial work for the day in solidarity. A warning was issued that if the state government does not address the security concerns, the State Advocate Group will be forced to initiate an indefinite boycott of court proceedings.
The demonstration comes amid reports of other issues in the Khadda tehsil. Recent reports indicate a land consolidation process has begun in Lakshmipur village after a 20-year delay, following a meeting on February 10, 2026, led by Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ramveer Singh. This process aims to resolve long-standing land disputes in the area. Separately, allegations of misconduct have been leveled against the Khadda tehsil administration, with claims that a poor woman’s home was demolished without prior notice.
The Kushinagar district has likewise been the focus of political activity, with Samajwadi Party Vice President Dheeraj Singh recently engaging in discussions about upcoming elections. Authorities are investigating the discovery of an unidentified woman’s body near the railway tracks between Khadda and Narkatiaganj stations.
The lawyers’ memorandum urged the Uttar Pradesh government to take “concrete and effective steps” to ensure the safety of advocates and to ensure strict action against those responsible for the recent murders, in order to restore confidence in the rule of law.
