New Delhi [India], May 5 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday voiced serious concern over the inordinate delays in pronouncing judgments by High Courts across the country, directing the Registrar Generals of all High Courts to submit comprehensive reports on cases where verdicts have not been delivered despite being reserved on or before January 31, 2025.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and NK Singh expressed particular alarm at the situation in the Jharkhand High Court, which has reportedly failed to deliver judgments in 67 criminal appeal cases after reserving them.
“This cannot be allowed to happen,” Justice Kant remarked firmly, adding that the Supreme Court intends to lay down mandatory guidelines to prevent such delays in the future. “We will definitely like to lay down some mandatory guidelines. It can’t be allowed to happen like this,” he said, emphasizing the need for judicial accountability.
The court’s observations came while hearing a petition filed by four convicts, who alleged that their criminal appeals had been heard and judgment reserved, but no verdict had been delivered by the Jharkhand High Court even after two to three years.
Upon reviewing the report submitted by the Registrar General of the Jharkhand High Court, the apex court noted that verdicts remain pending in 56 criminal appeals heard by a division bench between January 2022 and December 2024. Additionally, judgments in 11 criminal appeals heard by a single bench also remain undelivered, despite being reserved.
Describing the delays as “very disturbing,” the Supreme Court directed all High Courts to furnish within one month detailed reports of cases where judgments are still pending despite orders being reserved.
The top court’s move underscores its commitment to judicial efficiency and timely delivery of justice, with the bench making it clear that prolonged delays in the adjudication process cannot be tolerated.
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