Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Expressing concerns over the delay in pronouncing judgments, the Supreme Court on May 5 directed the Registrar Generals of high courts to submit a report on cases where judgments are still not pronounced despite reserving them on or before January 31, 2025, reported Live Law.
A Bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice NK Singh passed the order.
“The Registrar Generals of all High Courts to submit a report with respect to all those cases where judgments were reserved on or before 31.01.2025 and where pronouncement is still awaited. Information must contain criminal and civil matters separately, with specification whether it’s a single or division bench matter,” said the order.
The Bench passed the order while hearing a writ petition filed by 4 convicts alleging that judgments on their criminal appeals, though reserved, have not been pronounced by the Jharkhand High Court despite lapse of 2-3 years.
Justice Surya Kant observed that the delay in pronouncing judgment was “very disturbing.” “We will definitely like to lay down some mandatory guidelines. It can’t be allowed to happen like this,” he orally said. As regards the present case, advocate for the petitioners told the Bench that after the court issued notice in the present matter, the Jharkhand High Court disposed of many criminal appeals. However, the petitioners’ appeals are yet to be decided though two of them are listed for judgment, she added.
The Bench also took note of a report of The Indian Express that the Jharkhand High Court disposed of 75 criminal appeals in one week after the Supreme Cour issued notice in this matter. The bench directed the Registrar General of the High Court to furnish a list of the 75 criminal appeals where judgments have been pronounced, specifying the date on which the verdict was reserved. Previously also, the Supreme Court has issued directions to the high courts on the timely pronouncement of judgments in reserved matters
