In a sharp critique of judicial delays, the Supreme Court of India expressed surprise at the Allahabad High Court’s decision to reserve its judgment for over 14 months without delivering a verdict. The case, involving petitioner Ramdular Singh, had been in limbo since March 2023, prompting the apex court to intervene and grant interim relief.
“We do not know the exact reason as to why the learned Judge of the High Court, despite lapse of 14 (fourteen) months since judgment was reserved, could not deliver the judgment and dispose of the petition one way or the other,” a Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sandeep Mehta observed.
The case pertained to criminal proceedings lodged against Singh, which he claimed arose from a civil dispute. After reserving judgment in March 2023, the Allahabad High Court failed to grant interim relief, leaving Singh vulnerable to advancing criminal proceedings. On May 27, 2024, the High Court de-reserved the judgment and referred the matter to another Bench without any resolution.
Supreme Court’s Intervention
Singh moved the Supreme Court, arguing that the absence of a stay from the High Court had allowed the trial in the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate-IV, Varanasi, to progress to the stage of framing criminal charges. This, his counsel argued, rendered his plea at the High Court ineffective.
Taking note of the submissions, the Supreme Court granted interim relief to Singh, staying the trial court proceedings. “Till such time, the matter is considered next by the High Court, there shall be stay of proceedings before the trial court… The petitioner shall be at liberty to seek extension of the order of stay till the disposal of the petition on merits,” the Court ordered.
Directive for Expedited Resolution
Without delving into reasons for the delay, the apex court directed the High Court to resolve the matter expeditiously. “Be that as it may, without expressing any further comment on the matter of keeping a reserved judgment pending for 14 (fourteen) months and then not delivering the same, we request the roster bench of the High Court to dispose of the petition in accordance with law as early as possible, preferably within three months,” it added.
This case underscores the pressing need to address judicial delays, which can leave litigants in prolonged uncertainty, often undermining the very purpose of seeking timely justice.
