The Supreme Court of India issued a stern warning to litigants, emphasizing the critical need for meticulousness in filing pleadings and documents with the court registry. The caution stems from a civil case concerning a property dispute, where the Court noted significant shortcomings in the submissions made by the parties involved.

A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Rajesh Bindal underscored the repercussions of negligent filing practices, cautioning that even minor errors could have disastrous consequences for the parties embroiled in legal battles. The case at hand originated from a civil suit initially filed for permanent injunction, ownership, and possession of a specific property.

Following a trial court's dismissal of the suit, the first appellate court reversed the decision, granting a decree in favor of the plaintiffs. Subsequently, the Rajasthan High Court upheld the appellate court's order, which restrained the defendants from interfering with the plaintiffs' possession of the disputed land.

However, the defendants, now appellants before the Supreme Court, sought to challenge the High Court's ruling. In its deliberation on the appeal, the Supreme Court scrutinized the appellants' conduct, particularly highlighting their lackadaisical approach and failure to provide accurate subordinate court records in their pleadings before the apex court.

The bench expressed dismay at what it termed as the appellants' "casual" demeanor, pointing out their oversight in presenting correct copies of judgments from the trial and appellate courts. The Court lamented the need for significant effort to piece together the details, emphasizing the responsibility of litigants to ensure the accuracy and completeness of their submissions.

Despite the deficiencies in the appellants' presentation, the Supreme Court ultimately ruled in their favor on the merits of the case. Nonetheless, the cautionary remarks issued by the Court serve as a poignant reminder to all parties engaged in legal proceedings.

Case: Tehsildar Urban Improvement Trust and anr vs. Ganga Bai Menariya and ors,

CIVIL APPEAL NO.722 OF 2012.

Click to read/download judgment.