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No More 'Date After Date'! Supreme Court Issues Strict Directives to High Courts
New Delhi: On Friday, the Supreme Court issued strict directives to all High Courts across the country aimed at reducing delays within the judicial process. Exercising its special powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, a bench led by Justice Surya Kant clarified that it is mandatory to pronounce 'reserved' judgments within three months.
The Supreme Court stated that if a judgment is not pronounced within three months of being reserved, the Registrar General of the concerned High Court must place the matter before the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice may grant an additional extension of a maximum of 15 days. If the rule remains uncomplied with even after this period, the case shall be transferred to another bench.
**Uploading the Full Judgment Within 15 Days of the Main Verdict is Mandatory**
It is mandatory to upload the full judgment (including the detailed reasoning) online within 15 days of the pronouncement of the operative part (main order).
If there is a delay of 30 days, the litigants may file an application to withdraw the case or request its transfer to another bench.
**Key Highlights:**
In bail matters, it is expected that the judgment be pronounced on the very next day after the order is reserved.
It is mandatory to publish the date of the reserved judgment on the High Court's website once the arguments have concluded.
These directives were issued while hearing a petition concerning the Jharkhand High Court. The petitioners had complained that, despite two to three years having elapsed since the conclusion of arguments on their criminal appeals, the judgments had not yet been pronounced. Taking serious cognizance of this matter, the Supreme Court had sought reports from all High Courts.
**The Supreme Court's View:**
Delays hinder the delivery of justice and erode public trust in the judiciary. This ruling is being hailed as a significant step towards the expeditious disposal of pending cases.
New Delhi: On Friday, the Supreme Court issued strict directives to all High Courts across the country aimed at reducing delays within the judicial process. Exercising its special powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, a bench led by Justice Surya Kant clarified that it is mandatory to pronounce 'reserved' judgments within three months.
The Supreme Court stated that if a judgment is not pronounced within three months of being reserved, the Registrar General of the concerned High Court must place the matter before the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice may grant an additional extension of a maximum of 15 days. If the rule remains uncomplied with even after this period, the case shall be transferred to another bench.
**Uploading the Full Judgment Within 15 Days of the Main Verdict is Mandatory**
It is mandatory to upload the full judgment (including the detailed reasoning) online within 15 days of the pronouncement of the operative part (main order).
If there is a delay of 30 days, the litigants may file an application to withdraw the case or request its transfer to another bench.
**Key Highlights:**
In bail matters, it is expected that the judgment be pronounced on the very next day after the order is reserved.
It is mandatory to publish the date of the reserved judgment on the High Court's website once the arguments have concluded.
These directives were issued while hearing a petition concerning the Jharkhand High Court. The petitioners had complained that, despite two to three years having elapsed since the conclusion of arguments on their criminal appeals, the judgments had not yet been pronounced. Taking serious cognizance of this matter, the Supreme Court had sought reports from all High Courts.
**The Supreme Court's View:**
Delays hinder the delivery of justice and erode public trust in the judiciary. This ruling is being hailed as a significant step towards the expeditious disposal of pending cases.
The Supreme Court stated that if a judgment is not pronounced within three months of being reserved, the Registrar General of the concerned High Court must place the matter before the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice may grant an additional extension of a maximum of 15 days. If the rule remains uncomplied with even after this period, the case shall be transferred to another bench.
**Uploading the Full Judgment Within 15 Days of the Main Verdict is Mandatory**
It is mandatory to upload the full judgment (including the detailed reasoning) online within 15 days of the pronouncement of the operative part (main order).
If there is a delay of 30 days, the litigants may file an application to withdraw the case or request its transfer to another bench.
**Key Highlights:**
In bail matters, it is expected that the judgment be pronounced on the very next day after the order is reserved.
It is mandatory to publish the date of the reserved judgment on the High Court's website once the arguments have concluded.
These directives were issued while hearing a petition concerning the Jharkhand High Court. The petitioners had complained that, despite two to three years having elapsed since the conclusion of arguments on their criminal appeals, the judgments had not yet been pronounced. Taking serious cognizance of this matter, the Supreme Court had sought reports from all High Courts.
**The Supreme Court's View:**
Delays hinder the delivery of justice and erode public trust in the judiciary. This ruling is being hailed as a significant step towards the expeditious disposal of pending cases.
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