1. Challenge to the prohibition of hybrid hearings following the resumption of physical hearings in a High Court. (Para 1 )
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2023 Supreme(SC) 959
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud, CJI., J.B. Pardiwala, J.
Udit Goyal & Ors. – Appellants
Versus
High Court of Punjab And Haryana At Chandigarh & Anr. – Respondents
Writ Petition(s)(Civil) No(s). 520/2023
Decided On : 01-05-2023
Important Points
The court emphasized the need for the petitioners to address the Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana on the administrative side, considering the investment of public funds as a part of the e-Courts project.
Subject
Administrative Law - Judicial Review
Headnote
Hybrid Hearings - Access Prohibition - The court addressed the grievance of the petitioners regarding the complete prohibition of access to hybrid hearings by directing the petitioners to address the Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana on the administrative side, considering the investment of public funds as a part of the e-Courts project.
Fact of the Case:
The High Court of Punjab and Haryana completely prohibited access to hybrid hearings following the resumption of physical hearing on 28 March, 2022, leading to the grievance of the petitioners.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the grievance of the petitioners should be suitably addressed to the Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana on the administrative side, particularly considering the investment of public funds as a part of the e-Courts project.
Issues: The grievance of the petitioners regarding the complete prohibition of access to hybrid hearings.
Ratio Decidendi: The court directed the petitioners to address the Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana on the administrative side, taking into account the investment of public funds as a part of the e-Courts project.
Final Decision: The court directed the petitioners to address the Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana on the administrative side, without providing a direct ruling on the prohibition of access to hybrid hearings.
Legal Category Hierarchy
-
practice and procedure
-
court administration
- hybrid hearings (Para 2)
-
court administration
Advocates Appeared:
Ms. Ruchi Gupta , Advocate, for the Appellant.
Ms. Ruchi Gupta , Advocate, for the Appellant.
Table of Contents
2. Petitioners contend that access to hybrid hearings should not be completely prohibited. (Para 1 )
3. The court noted the investment of public funds as part of the e-Courts project. (Para 2 )
4. Administrative grievances concerning hybrid hearing access and e-Courts project investments are to be resolved by the Chief Justice of the High Court. (Para 2 )
5. The grievance is to be addressed to the Chief Justice of the High Court on the administrative side. (Para 2 )
6. How are grievances regarding the availability of hybrid hearings in High Courts resolved?
Such grievances are to be addressed to the Chief Justice of the High Court on the administrative side, particularly in light of public fund investments in the e-Courts project. (Para 2 )
ORDER
1. The grievance of the petitioners is that the High Court of Punjab and Haryana has completely prohibited access to Hybrid hearings following the resumption of physical hearing on 28 March, 2022.
2. We are of the considered view that the grievance of the petitioners shall be suitably addressed to the Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana on the administrative side particularly having regard to the investment of public funds as a part of the e-Courts project.
