Supreme Court Questions Registry Over Missing Files, Seeks Secretary General's Report

The Bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Rajesh Bindal were hearing a contempt petition that had 43 connected cases. While the first paper book was available before the Court, the second one was not to be found.

Following this, staff, including the Additional Registrar, from concerned sections was called in order to assist the Court. However, when for the first forty-five minutes, the staff could not trace the documents, the Court called in the Registrars. They were also not in a position to assist the Court., the Court said and added:

“The output was none despite wasting more than one hour as the relevant file(s)/document(s) could not be traced for hearing. We request the Secretary General to examine the lapses and submit a report in this regard within ten days in the Chamber.”

The Court also said that the report should specify the persons at fault and ultimately, re-listed the matter on August 06.

This is not the first time that the Court has pulled up the registry for its lapses. Previously, a Bench led by Justice JK Maheshwari sought an explanation from its Registrar (Judicial) against the listing of the case without following the proper procedure. The court had directed the Registrar (Judicial) to look into the said procedural lapse and submit an explanation within a week.

In January, a bench led by Justice Abhay S Oka noted with dismay that a civil appeal ought to have been listed on a Thursday, as directed, instead of Friday when it was listed. Justice Oka orally observed, "What is worrying is that some members of the staff have bye-passed the judicial order directing listing of the civil appeal."

In another case, Justice Oka last year pulled up the registry for shifting the blame on court masters for non-compliance with the court's orders, calling it a 'very sorry state of affairs'.

Case Details: BAIDYA NATH CHOUDHARY vs. DR. SREE SURENDRA KUMAR SINGH., Diary No. - 18663/2018

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