The Delhi High Court, in response to a petition filed by a practicing advocate and member of the New Delhi Bar Association, has directed the standardization of procedures for recording advocates' appearances in court proceedings across all District Courts in Delhi.
The matter was heard before the bench of Justice Sanjeev Narula.
The petition was filed after the advocate raised concerns regarding the omission of his name from the order sheets in Patiala House Court, despite his consistent attendance as counsel in multiple cases.
The petitioner expressed frustration over repeated failures by the Patiala House Court to record his appearance, which he alleged adversely affected his professional standing. In defense, the respondent’s counsel, Tushar Sannu, submitted a report from the Principal District and Sessions Judge of Patiala House Court, asserting that the judges had been noting the attendance of counsel.
After examining the case, Justice Sanjeev Narula acknowledged the petitioner’s concerns, emphasizing the importance of recording advocates’ names, as this practice affects their eligibility for chamber allotments and participation in Bar Association elections. The court noted a lack of uniformity in this process across District Courts, which could lead to discrepancies affecting advocates' professional rights.
The court directed the Principal District and Sessions Judge (Headquarters) to ensure that all District Courts in Delhi adhere to a standardized procedure for recording the attendance of advocates in order sheets. The court suggested implementing mechanisms similar to the ‘drop-box’ system for physical hearings or the ‘chat box’ feature used in virtual hearings at the High Court of Delhi to streamline this process. With these directions, the petition was disposed of.
Case Title: Ranjeet Kumar Thakur v. UOI & Ors.
Citation: W.P.(C) 13188/2024 & CM APPL. 57532/2024
Advocates for Petitioner: Adv. Krishan Murari, Naresh Kumar
Advocates for Respondents: Adv. Nidhi Raman (CGSC), Tushar Sannu, and others
