Yesterday, the Supreme Courtcriticized the Registry for shifting the blame on Court Masters for not complying with the Court’s orders.

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

The Court in its judgement said, -

“This is a very sorry state of affairs. The members of the staff of the Registry are not able to understand simple orders passed by this Court and they are trying to shift the entire burden on the Court Masters which was uncalled for.” The Apex Court said.

Case Brief -

In the said matter, the Court directed the Registry to call for Trial Court records and place before it the printed version of depositions of the material witnesses in a case. Since the Registry failed to comply with this order, another order was passed on 21st July. Due to non-compliance, another order dated 25th August was passed seeking an explanation from the Registrar (Judicial Listing).

In the explanation submitted before the Court, the Senior Court Assistant mentioned that the Court Masters had not informed her Section that the bench required two sets of translated copies of the depositions from the Trial Court.

The Court came down heavily on the Registry for expecting the Court Masters to inform the Registry that the two judge bench requires two sets of copies of the deposition.

"It is unfortunate that the Senior Court Assistant and other officers have tried to shift the entire blame on the court masters. According to us, the court masters had no role to play in compliance with the orders of this Court and they cannot be blamed for the lapse ... This is a very sorry state of affairs. The members of the staff of the registry are not able to understand simple orders passed by this Court and they are trying to shift the entire burden on the court masters which was uncalled for," the bench observed.

Further, expressed its dissatisfaction with the explanation provided by the Registrar:

“When a Bench of two Judges requires printed copies of the depositions, it is obvious that only one copy cannot be supplied and two copies are required. The explanations submitted by some staff members show that even this elementary knowledge was lacking.” The Court said.

Case Title: Harphool @ Kala V. State Of Uttar Pradesh

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