SC Expresses Shock To See A First Appeal Pending In HC For 35 Years [Read Order]

It is more than high time that justice delivery is taken more seriously by all concerned, the Bench observed.

Expressing “extreme shock” over a first appeal case pending in the Gujarat High Court for 35 years, the Supreme Court has directed the Chief Justice of the High Court to take necessary steps on the administrative side to ensure that such unconscionable delay and such unconscionable number of adjournments are not granted, virtually for the asking.

An apex court Bench comprising Justice Madan B Lokur and Justice RK Agrawal observed: “We are extremely shocked to note that as many as 61 adjournments have been granted and the high court has still not been able to dispose of the first appeal pending before it….It is more than high time that justice delivery is taken more seriously by all concerned. For the time being, we leave it at that.”

With regard to the submission made by counsel for the state that some documents requires translation, the Bench observed: “Whatever be the position, the fact of the matter is that the first appeal is pending since 1981, and 35 years have gone by and still the translations are not ready. This is absolutely no justification; first of all, for the matter to remain pending for 35 years in first appeal and, secondly, there is no reason for grant of 61 adjournments for disposing of the matter.”

Read the order here.