CJI DY Chandrachud flags trend of High Courts keeping judgments reserved for over 10 months

Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on Monday expressed worry at the practice of High Courts keeping matters reserved for judgment for unusually long periods..A bench also comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was hearing a case arising out of arbitration proceedings, when it made the said oral observation."What is a matter of concern is judges reserving matters for over 10 months without judgment. I wrote to all the High Courts. After the letter, I see many judges just de-reserving matters and listing them as part-heard. Honestly ,after that long, the oral arguments do not matter and judges forget," the CJI remarked..The bench then proceeded to direct the High Court in question to expeditiously dispose of the matter."We hope this is not a trend at more High Courts of the country. We are of the view that releasing a matter at this stage after it has been heard for a substantial period compounds the delay and plight and legal fees of litigants ... Liberty granted to move the learned judge under Section 36 of the Arbitration Act. Matter to be taken up at reasonable despatch, though we are aware of the High Court's burden," the apex court directed. .Supreme Court slams Bombay High Court for granting bail in quashing petition after it had reserved its judgment.Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan with advocates Kirat Singh Nagra, Pranav Vyas, Kartik Yadav, Manhar Singh Saini, Tushar Nagar, Chandra Prakash, briefed by a team from DSK Legal appeared for the petitioner, one MS Atwal.Senior Advocate Saurabh Soparkar and Deepanwita Priyanka appeared for the State of Gujarat..Recently, the Supreme Court in another case had lamented that the Bombay High Court was not hearing such cases expeditiously but was rather finding 'excuses' to 'shunt' the case on various grounds.It had, therefore, urged judges of the Bombay High Court to promptly hear and dispose of bail matters since delay in hearing bail matters would lead to deprivation of personal liberty.[Read order]