Exclusive: Supreme Court rips into Delhi HC, summons Registrar

A High Court Registry is in the news again. This time around, it is that of the Delhi High Court. The Supreme Court of India has come down heavily on the Delhi High Court for failing to render adequate assistance in a matter..A Bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and PC Pant ripped into the administrative lapses of the High Court terming it as “shocking” and expressing its “dismay” at the events surrounding the grading of a judicial officer. The Court was also critical of the court’s treatment of the judges of the lower judiciary remarking that “it was no way to treat judges”..Senior Advocate A Mariarputham appeared for the Delhi High Court along with advocate ADN Rao..The case pertained to the grading given to the judicial officer for the period between 1999-2004. The judge in question was given a grading of “C-” which corresponded to “integrity doubtful”. This decision was taken by a full court of the High Court. When the same was challenged by the concerned judge, a Division Bench of the High Court itself had allowed the challenge and set aside the grading..This decision was challenged by the Delhi High Court in Supreme Court..When the matter came up for hearing today as item 103 in court 6, the High Court could not produce any materials on the basis of which the C- rating was taken..Said Pant J.,.“Show us some material on the basis of which the decision was arrived at. During 1997 to 1999 she has good reputation. Suddenly in 2000 you decide her integrity is doubtful and withdraw judicial work from her.”.When the High Court’s lawyers were unable to provide any material in this regard, the Bench was not pleased. Remarked Gogoi J.,.“This is clearly not the way to treat judges. [The] institution is composed of individuals. Keep the institution in mind.”.When the Bench pressed, it was brought to their notice that the judge in question was currently posted as Additional District judge. This irked the court further..“If the judge’s integrity is doubtful as you say, then how is she retained. She has not only been retained but also promoted. How can you contradict yourself?”, demanded Justice Gogoi..Even as the Bench continued with their questioning, it appeared that the High Court’s counsel were awaiting the arrival of a court official who would provide additional material. The said official rushed into court and tried to pass some papers to the counsel..This enraged Justice Gogoi..“Who is he? Why is he here? How can he come like this? Where is the security?”, Justice Gogoi demanded..Though Mariarputham replied that the man was a Delhi High Court Registry official, he was escorted out of the court by the security personnel..The Court then dismissed the High Court’s appeal, followed by some strong words about the administrative side of the Delhi High Court..“…the assistance offered by the High Court on the administrative side is shocking. This court expected responsible officers to be present with adequate materials. .We are dismayed by the assistance and request the Chief Justice of the High Court to seriously consider changes in the Registry of the High Court”..The Court has now summoned the Registrar General of the High Court or any of the Registrars of the High Court tomorrow when it will hear the issue with respect to the High Court’s administrative gaffe. The court will also hear two other similar petitions against High Court..“The present writ petitions will be taken up tomorrow i.e. 7th October, 2016. The Registrar General of the High Court of Delhi or any other Registrar conversant with the facts of the case will be present in court in person along with the response of the High Court to the observations contained in the order passed today i.e. 6th October, 2016 in Civil Appeal No.5984 of 2013..”.Justice Ranjan Gogoi had earlier been very critical of the Registry of the Supreme Court as well. He had made some strong observations against the Registry for what he considered “unacceptable listing” of a case involving builder giant DLF..Read the order of the court below.