Today, On 2nd August, The Supreme Court stated that it cannot direct High Courts to resolve cases within a specific timeframe, emphasizing that High Courts are constitutional courts and not subordinate to the Supreme Court. This stance has been reiterated in the past, underscoring the independent status of High Courts.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court, On Friday, reaffirmed that it cannot compel High Courts to address cases within a specific timeframe.
Justices Vikram Nath and Prasanna B Varale emphasized that High Courts operate independently and are not subordinate to the Supreme Court.
This statement arose during a hearing of a plea by a woman seeking interim bail, citing her son’s academic failures in six subjects.
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Her counsel highlighted that despite 36 sessions, the Delhi High Court had not considered her application for suspension of sentence, with the judge handling no more than 15 cases daily.
“My child needs me. I have been granted parole before. The High Court has not yet ruled on my plea. With due respect. Can this Court direct for timely disposal?”
Justice Nath responded,
“We can request the High Court to prioritize your plea for suspension of sentence. However, do not make such requests. High Courts are not subordinate to the Supreme Court. We cannot mandate them to resolve any case within a set period.”
The Bench then issued an order in line with this statement.
The High Court judge involved in this matter is Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta.
The current appeal challenging the Delhi High Court‘s adjournments submitted by Advocate Purnima Krishna.
In February 2023, the Supreme Court reiterated that High Courts are constitutional courts and should not be considered subordinate to the Supreme Court. A year prior, it had clarified that High Courts do not operate under the administrative oversight of the Supreme Court.
Earlier this year, Supreme Court Justice Abhay S. Oka stressed that every court is of equal importance, urging trial judges not to feel inferior as they perform the same functions as those in Constitutional courts.