National Informatics Centre Under Allahabad High Court's Radar For Discrepancy In Listing Of Cases

The Allahabad High Court has directed inquiry against officers of National Informatics Centre at the High Court, as repeated cases of listing of second bail applications by the same person before different bench has come to light.

Earlier, a second bail application came before the bench comprising of Justice Samit Gopal in Additional Cause List-1. Since the list was prepared at a later stage, none of the counsel appeared. On perusal of the record, Court found that first bail application of the same applicant was rejected by the same bench. Though the matter was continuously listed before this bench, on one day it was listed before another bench. The Court directed the Registrar (Listing) to give a report as to how the matter was listed before another bench.

Thereafter, report was placed before the Justice Samit Gopal in sealed cover which revealed that a particular ID was used for a feeding in the computer without court's permission and subsequent to Court's order calling for Registrar's report, the said entry was changed by the user of the same ID.

"It is really surprising to note that once an entry is made in the computer, how the same after passage of sufficient time is changed. The same appears to be with the nod of the concerned persons of N.I.C., High Court, Allahabad. The report further states that there have been four other instances done from the same ID by which matters have been marked in other Courts without any order,” Court said.

The Court directed the Registrar General of the High Court to conduct a detailed enquiry as per rules and take appropriate action against the delinquent persons. The Court directed that the delinquent person be kept away from computer during the period of inquiry to avoid any further mischief.

While directing that the inquiry be conducted within four weeks and be kept separate from the bail proceedings, the Court observed,

“The Inquiry Officer shall also inquire regarding the role of the concerned persons of N.I.C., High Court, Allahabad as the fact which appears from the enquiry report goes to show that the feeding once done has been changed without any judicial order or administrative order which cannot be permitted to be done in any manner. It is not permissible at all. This thus brings the system in N.I.C. also suspect.”

Case Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (AB) 362