The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the routine practice of summoning government officials to court, stating that their time should be dedicated to serving citizens.

This development emerged during a case involving a judge from the Patna High Court, who had issued 142 orders summoning senior Bihar government officials since October 2021. 

In response, a bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and JB Pardiwala emphasized that summoning officials should not become a common occurrence unless there is a clear disregard for court orders. 

The Bihar government provided a list of 142 similar orders issued by the judge over the past 20 months in routine matters. 

The Supreme Court highlighted that while authorities must comply with court directions, such summonses should not be issued casually, as officers have a duty to fulfill their responsibilities towards citizens. 

The court's remarks came as it stayed a July 13 order from the same judge, which had issued bailable warrants against the additional chief secretary of the Bihar education department in a contempt case related to a teacher's promotion.

The Supreme Court directed a copy of its order to be sent to the high court Registrar General for the chief justice's attention.