"Peshkars/Readers Duty-Bound To Write Legible Orders": Allahabad High Court Warns Of Action Against Erring Officials

Observing that some of the orders, statements, and office reports in the Subordinate Courts are written in bad handwriting that the same cannot be read properly, the Allahabad High Court has warned erring officials of action in case they fail to write legible orders.

It may be noted that in October 2021, the Allahabad High Court had observed in its order that it is the bounded duty of the Peshkars/ Court Readers to write the Court order in a legible manner, failing which, it may be treated as misconduct.

In view of this, the District Judges across the State of Uttar Pradesh were directed by the High Court to issue standing directions to the Peshkars/Readers, who write the order-sheet, to the effect that the order should be written in a manner that can be read properly.

In its order, the Court had also directed the Senior Registrar of the Court to circulate the order of the High Court to all the District Judges of State of U.P. for its strict compliance.

Read more about the case here: Failure To Write Orders In Legible Manner By Peshkars/Court Readers Could Be Treated As Misconduct: Allahabad High Court

Pursuant to that order of the Court, the Registrar General of the High Court has now come up with an administrative order on January 29. This order has been issued to all the District & Sessions Judges to ensure strict compliance with the directions issued by the HC.

The order reads thus:

"Hon'ble Court has observed that some of the orders, statements and office reports in the Subordinate Courts are written in such bad hand writing that the same cannot be read properly. Some orders, statements and office reports are even illegible. In this regard, Hon'ble Court has been pleased to direct that the Peshkars/Readers are duty-bound to write down the order in a legible manner, failing which, it may be treated as a misconduct. It has also been directed that all the statements recorded, as well as, office reports scribed on order sheets should be done in a clear and legible handwriting. If any order, statement or office report, is written in the order-sheet in a manner which cannot be read, the erring official shall be issued a notice calling for his/her explanation whereupon departmental proceedings may be initiated against the concerned official, as per law. While enclosing herewith, an e-copy of order dated 28.10.2021, passed by Hon'ble Court in Case No. 4203 of 2021 (U/s 482/378/407) (at Lucknow Bench), I am directed to request you to kindly ensure strict compliance of the directions issued by the Hon'ble Court, by all concerned, in letter and spirit. You are, further, requested to forward the instant letter to all the Principal Judges, Family Courts & Presiding Officers of Commercial Courts, MACTs and LARRAs of your respective district, for strict compliance of the aforesaid directions, by all concerned."

Click Here To Read/Download Office Order