Recently, in a Special Leave Petition seeking early disposal of a Writ Petition of the year 2014, and currently awaiting a decision in the Allahabad High Court, the Supreme Court has emphasized that, unless truly exceptional circumstances exist, it should exercise caution when instructing Constitutional Courts or any other Court to make determinations within prescribed time limits.

The matter was heard before the division bench of Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Pankaj Mithal.

"Unless the situation is extraordinary, this Court should not direct any Constitutional Court or for that matter, any Court, to decide any pending case in a time-bound manner."

The Court also remarked, "It cannot be that those who afford to come this Court, get priority and others wait in the queue." Refusing to interfere in the case, the Bench clarified in its order that it is for the Petitioner to move the High Court for expeditious hearing of the case.

Case Brief -

In this instance, the Petitioners had filed a case with the High Court to challenge the selection process and appointment of specific candidates for the Livestock Extension Officers position under the Uttar Pradesh Animal Husbandry Department Livestock Extension and Poultry Development Service Rules of 2002. The High Court had issued a notice regarding this matter back in the year 2014.

Following the initiation of the case, the Respondents established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate irregularities within the selection process.

During the hearings, the Petitioner submits before the Supreme Court that the case before the High Court has remained unresolved due to the Respondents' inability to conclude the SIT's investigation, which commenced in 2016, and to submit its findings to the High Court.

"The Respondents have been seeking adjournment for the purpose of complying with the direction of the High Court for the purpose of submitting the investigation report and this is leading to delay in disposing of the matter finally", the Petitioner contended in the SLP.

''No case for interference is made out in exercise of our jurisdiction under Article 136 of the Constitution of India. The Special Leave Petition is accordingly dismissed on ground of delay as well as on merits. It is for the petitioner to move the High Court for expeditious hearing of the case.", said, the Supreme Court 

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