The Supreme Court on Monday criticized High Courts for ignoring its binding precedents, warning that such neglect undermines the judiciary. It emphasized that delays in uploading judgments harm both the judicial system and litigants seeking timely justice. The apex court called for greater accountability and adherence to judicial norms.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has expressed deep concern over High Courts ignoring its binding precedents, stating that such neglect harms the integrity of the judicial system. The top court observed that despite repeated reminders, many High Courts continue to disregard binding decisions, an issue that undermines the administration of justice.
A Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Prashant Kumar Mishra made these remarks while hearing an appeal against the Gujarat High Court. The High Court had failed to upload an order for a year after disposing of a case in open court, sparking frustration within the apex court. The Gujarat High Court only uploaded a detailed reasoned order on April 30, 2024, even though the case had been dismissed orally on March 1, 2023.
“We are surprised, not a little, that the strong reminders issued by this Court from time to time have had little effect on the High Courts in the country,”
the Supreme Court remarked. It warned that
“neglect/omission/refusal to abide by binding precedents augurs ill for the health of the system.”
“Judicial Service Betrayed”
The top court took issue with the failure of High Court judges to promptly upload judgments, emphasizing that delays not only disservice the institution of the judiciary but also impact the litigants waiting for timely justice.
“For a learned Judge to deviate from the laid down standards would be to betray the trust reposed in him by the nation,”
the Supreme Court cautioned.
The Gujarat High Court judge’s delay in releasing the reasoned order, Justice Bhargav D Karia, was criticized as being contrary to established judicial norms. The court ruled that the judge ceased to retain jurisdiction over the case after issuing an oral dismissal, and the delayed reasoned order violated the appellant’s right to timely legal recourse.
Deprivation of Timely Justice
The Supreme Court pointed out that the appellant was deprived of the opportunity to challenge the High Court’s ruling because the reasoned judgment was made available too late. The delayed release of judgments obstructs justice and weakens public confidence in the judiciary’s efficiency.
In addition, the apex court highlighted its concern over the practice of judges dictating judgments in their chambers or residential offices instead of issuing decisions in open court. This practice, the court argued, increases the risk of forgetting crucial details of the case, particularly when multiple cases are pending.
A Call for Accountability
Addressing the High Court’s accountability, the Supreme Court refrained from making any adverse remarks against the Gujarat High Court judge involved in the delay. However, the top court sent a strong message, instructing High Court judges across India to remain committed to the service of litigants and ensure adherence to binding precedents.
The Court stated,
“We sincerely hope that learned Judges of the high courts…will remain committed to the service of the litigants, for whom only they exist, as well as the oath of office that they have taken.”
Re-Hearing Ordered
The apex court ultimately ordered the case to be restored before the Gujarat High Court for a fresh hearing by a different bench. The Supreme Court clarified that it had not examined the merits of the case but only addressed the procedural issues surrounding the delay.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s warning to High Courts serves as a reminder that ignoring binding precedents and delaying justice threatens the very foundation of the judicial system. The apex court’s observations underscore the critical importance of ensuring timely, transparent, and efficient judicial processes across all courts in the country.
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