Found an old photo or record of a former Allahabad High Court judge? Here is how you can help the Court update its official archives and Roll of Honour authentically.
Imagine you are clearing out your grandfather’s old study in Prayagraj or Lucknow. Between dusty law journals and yellowed case files, you find a framed, hand-tinted photograph of a relative in judicial robes. You know they served as a judge at the Allahabad High Court decades ago, but when you check the official website, their entry is a blank space or a misspelled name.
This isn't just a family heirloom; it is a missing piece of India’s judicial history. The Allahabad High Court, established in 1866, is one of the oldest and largest in the country. However, its digital archives often lack high-quality photographs or verified biographical details of judges who served in the early 20th century or the post-Independence era. The Court has issued a formal notice inviting the public—especially descendants and legal researchers—to provide authentic details and photographs to complete its "Roll of Honour." If you have these records, you have a direct role in preserving the legacy of the Indian judiciary. Here is how you can ensure your ancestor’s contribution is officially recorded.
Under Article 215 of the Constitution of India, every High Court is a "Court of Record." This means its acts and proceedings are enrolled for perpetual memory and testimony. While we usually think of "records" as judgments, the institutional history—the people who sat on the bench—is a vital part of this constitutional mandate.
Administrative control over the High Court’s records and its museum/archives rests with the Chief Justice, as per the Allahabad High Court Rules, 1952. The Registrar General acts as the custodian of these records. When the Court issues a specific "Notice for providing authentic details/informations/photographs," it is an administrative order aimed at historical accuracy.
Authenticity is the legal benchmark here. The Court cannot simply download a photo from a random blog. It requires "authentic" proof. This typically means the information must be backed by official documents like the "History of Services of Gazetted Officers" (formerly published by the Accountant General) or the "All India Judges Association" records. If you are looking for these details and the family records are incomplete, you might need to File an RTI online with the Department of Justice (doj.gov.in) to retrieve appointment notifications or service durations.
Furthermore, the preservation of these records is part of the larger Digitization of Records project mandated by the e-Committee of the Supreme Court of India. By contributing, you are helping the Court fulfill its duty under the Public Records Act, 1993 (where applicable by extension) to maintain and preserve records of historical importance. If you encounter hurdles in getting these records from local bar associations, you should know How to file an FIR (and what to do if police refuse) if official documents have been illegally withheld or stolen, though this is a rare extreme.
Before you send anything, check what the Court already has. Go to the official Allahabad High Court website (allahabadhighcourt.in) and navigate to the "Former Judges" section. Look for the "Roll of Honour" or the "Gallery of Former Judges."
The Court will not accept hearsay. You need to compile a dossier that includes:
Government portals and judicial committees have specific technical requirements.
Address your communication to the Registrar General, High Court of Judicature at Allahabad. Your letter must state:
You have two primary ways to submit this, and doing both is recommended for the best results:
[email protected] or a specific museum-related email if provided). Attach the scanned photo and the PDF dossier.The Court’s Archive Committee will verify your submission against their internal records. This can take 4 to 12 weeks. If you don't see the update on the website after 3 months, you can send a polite follow-up email citing your previous Speed Post tracking number. If the information is still not updated and you are certain of its accuracy, you can Browse all civic-action guides to find out how to use an RTI to ask about the status of your submission and the verification process followed by the Registrar.
Bureaucracy can be a slow-moving beast, even when you are doing them a favour. Here is where your contribution might hit a wall and how to climb over it:
The "Email Void": You send a high-res scan to the official registrar email listed on allahabadhighcourt.in, but get no acknowledgement for weeks.
The Quality Reject: The Court is building a "Roll of Honour," not a family scrapbook. If your photo is a blurry phone click of a framed picture (with tube-light glare), they will likely ignore it.
The "Proof" Problem: You know it’s your great-grandfather, but the Court needs "authentic" verification. If you don't have his appointment letter, they might hesitate to upload the data.
Portal Lag: The website might not update for months after you submit.
Subject: Submission of Authentic Photograph and Details of Former Judge [Full Name]
To, The Registrar General, High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
Respected Sir/Madam,
With reference to the Court’s notice regarding the collection of authentic details and photographs of former Hon’ble Judges, I am submitting the following information for the "Roll of Honour":
I certify that the information provided is authentic to the best of my knowledge. I request you to update the official website records accordingly.
Regards, [Your Name] [Your Phone Number] [Your Address]
Use this if you get no response for 60 days. File via rtionline.gov.in or via post.
To, The Public Information Officer (PIO), High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, Prayagraj.
Subject: Application under Section 6(1) of the RTI Act, 2005.
Details of Information required:
Note: I am a Citizen of India. I have attached the fee of ₹10 via [IPO/Online Payment].
1. Can I submit a photo of the judge in casual clothes? No. The Court requires formal portraits, preferably in judicial robes or formal attire (Sherwani/Suit) that was standard for the era. Candid family photos or "vacation shots" will be rejected as they do not maintain the decorum of the "Roll of Honour."
2. Is there any fee to submit these details? No, there is no fee. This is a voluntary contribution to the Court's archives. However, if you are sending physical copies via Speed Post, you will have to bear the postage costs (usually ₹40–₹100).
3. I am not a family member; I am just a history student. Can I still contribute? Yes. The Court's notice is open to anyone who can provide authentic information. If you have found details in a library or old government gazettes, you can submit them. Just make sure to cite your sources clearly so the Registrar can verify them.
4. Will the Court return my original physical photos? Unlikely. Do not send original, one-of-a-kind physical photographs unless specifically asked by the Registrar’s office. Always send a high-quality digital scan or a high-quality print of the scan. The Court's museum is a "Court of Record" under Article 215, and items submitted often become part of the permanent archive.
5. How do I find the exact dates of appointment if my family forgot? You can search the "History of Services" volumes available in major public libraries or the National Archives of India. Alternatively, you can file an RTI with the Department of Justice (DOJ) asking for the "Date of Notification of Appointment" for that specific judge.
6. What if the judge served in the Lucknow Bench? The Allahabad High Court is one institution with two benches. You can submit the details to the Registrar General in Prayagraj (Allahabad), as the central archives and the website management are handled there. You can also mark a copy to the Senior Registrar at the Lucknow Bench for their local records.
7. How long does it take for the photo to appear online? There is no fixed timeline. The process involves verification by the Museum Committee or the Protocol Section, followed by an update by the technical team. Expect a timeline of 3 to 6 months. If it takes longer, use the RTI template provided above to nudge them.
No. The Court requires formal portraits, preferably in judicial robes or formal attire (Sherwani/Suit) that was standard for the era. Candid family photos or "vacation shots" will be rejected as they do not maintain the decorum of the "Roll of Honour."
No, there is no fee. This is a voluntary contribution to the Court's archives. However, if you are sending physical copies via Speed Post, you will have to bear the postage costs (usually ₹40–₹100).
Yes. The Court's notice is open to anyone who can provide *authentic* information. If you have found details in a library or old government gazettes, you can submit them. Just make sure to cite your sources clearly so the Registrar can verify them.
Unlikely. Do not send original, one-of-a-kind physical photographs unless specifically asked by the Registrar’s office. Always send a high-quality digital scan or a high-quality print of the scan. The Court's museum is a "Court of Record" under Article 215, and items submitted often become part of the permanent archive.
You can search the "History of Services" volumes available in major public libraries or the [National Archives of India](https://nationalarchives.nic.in). Alternatively, you can file an RTI with the Department of Justice (DOJ) asking for the "Date of Notification of Appointment" for that specific judge.
The Allahabad High Court is one institution with two benches. You can submit the details to the Registrar General in Prayagraj (Allahabad), as the central archives and the website management are handled there. You can also mark a copy to the Senior Registrar at the Lucknow Bench for their local records.
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