Gujarat high court dropped the contempt proceedings against the nine judges of Anand Court after they tendered unconditional apology. The high court initiated the contempt proceedings against them because they failed to conclude 45-year-old suit of a land dispute in 1977, till December 31, 2005 (deadline given by the high court). However, it remained pending for further 17 years until an 88 years old litigant complained to the high court about its long pendency.

Considering the same, the High Court issued a circular taking strict cognizance of the district judges following the case. The High Court also instructed them that whenever there is an order from the High Court on stay or a direction pertaining to a case deadline, the court registry should ensure that these directions are mentioned in the record and proceedings of the case on every date of hearing.

The High Court further said that the rule of law is paramount and the lower courts should deal with civil matters along with criminal matters. The High Court said that the judges should be careful and cautious whenever a case is taken up for hearing. When the judges apologized and accepted the mistake after the circular, the Gujarat High Court decided not to go ahead and dropped the contempt action.

Edited By: Ms. Nandini Nair, Content Head at Lawgic

Story Update By: Ms. Sai Sushmitha, Correspondent at Lawgic