PIL In Karnataka HC Urges For Use Of A4 Size Paper With Double Printing At Karnataka High Court And Subordinate Courts [Read Petition]

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Ashok S Kinagi issued the notice returnable on November 12 while hearing a petition filed by three law students--Akriti Agarwal, Bhavana M and Lakshya Purohit.

The petitioners had earlier approached the Supreme Court of India for implementing the use of A4 Size and double printing of paper in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has passed a circular dated March 5, directing the mandatory use of A4 size paper with double printing for all purposes. Similarly, the High courts of Calcutta, Kerala and Tripura have implemented the same.

The petition states that Rule 2 of Chapter XII of the High Court of Karnataka Rules, 1959 currently mandates the use of foolscap paper which in common parlance is known as 'Legal Sheet'. The rule further specifies that the paper should be printed/ written on both sides. The Rule 7(1) of The Karnataka Civil Rules of Practice, 1967 mandates the use of white durable or A4 size sheets for all pleadings and related documents.

.It is contended that because the Supreme Court of India has already implemented the usage of A4 Size Paper and printing on both sides for all purposes. For better uniformity and easy access to justice, it becomes necessary for this Court to mandate the usage of A4 Size Paper similarly in this court and in its all subordinate courts.

It is claimed in the petition that the practice of using legal size paper/foolscap paper is a British colonial practice and has been making justice only costly and inaccessible. This is an arbitrary exercise and is in violation of Article 14 and Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

Moreover, the usage of single side printing of legal size paper/Foolscap paper in comparison to double side printing of A4 Size Paper is detrimental to the health of our environment as there would be more cutting of trees, more wastage of paper and more degradation of the environment. To prevent such serious damage to the environment, it is necessary and emergent to mandate the usage of A4 Size Paper.

The petition prays for the following directions:

1: Pass an order directing the respondent or competent authority to amend Rule 2 of Chapter XII of The High Court of Karnataka Rules, 1959 to mandate the use of A4 size paper, printed on both sides for the purposes of presentation of all pleadings and supporting documents in the High Court of Karnataka and in its all subordinaté courts.

OR

Alternatively, Pass an order directing the Respondent to pass an Administrative Order to ensure the mandatory usage of standard A4 size paper and printing on both sides of paper, for all purposes in this Hon'ble Court and its subordinate courts.

Advocate Paras Jain appeared for the petitioners.