The Yearly Reports: The Delhi High Court in 2018

Another year of intense court room drama and several pioneering judgments has come to an end for the Delhi High Court.

The year began with the high-voltage legal battle between the twenty disqualified Aam Aadmi Party MLAs and the Election Commission, and ended with the gripping tale of internal conflict between high-ranking CBI officials. 2018 witnessed the Court coming down heavily on usage of social media to attribute motive to judiciary.

This year, the Delhi High Court extended its existing infrastructure, with the inauguration of its modern, state of the art building, the New Courts Block, dedicated to commercial litigation. The High Court also designated a special court to deal with cases against Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies.

The Delhi High Court (Original Side) Rules, 2018 also came into force from March 1. 

In an attempt to provide a platform for resolution of issues concerning the Bar and the Bench, the High Court framed a scheme for redressal of grievances of lawyers in Delhi District Courts and the High Court. It also issued directions to introduce greater uniformity, objectivity and some measure of transparency and predictability in the Annual Confidential Report grading of judicial officers.

Further, comprehensive directions to guard against the indiscriminate use of preventive detention powers by Executive Magistrates and police were also issued.