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2026 Supreme(Online)(SC) 270

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
AJAY KUMAR NAG & ORS. – Appellant
Versus
STATE OF CHHATTISGARH & ORS. – Respondent
Special Leave to Appeal (C) No. 6279/2025 | SLP(C) No. 21912/2025 | SLP(C) No. 30423/2025 | SLP(C) No. 23641/2025 | SLP(C) No. 27519/2025 | SLP(C) No. 29850/2025 | SLP(C) No. 35927/2025

Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Mr. Mrigank Prabhakar, AOR, Ms. Sakshi Banga, Adv., Ms. Astha Singh, Adv., Mr. Sameer Shrivastava, AOR, Dr. Sangeeta Verma, Adv., Mr. Shashi Bhushan Tiwari, Adv., Ms. Shruti Singh, Adv., Mr. Ashutosh Ghade, AOR, Mr. Jaswant Singh Rawat, AOR, Mr. Sudhakar Singh Maurya, Adv., Mr. U S Maurya, Adv., Ms. Srishti Rawat, Adv., Ms. Ayushi Pandey, Adv., Mr. Rishabh, Adv., Ms. Aswathi M.k., AOR, Mr. Neeraj Shekhar, AOR, Mr. Rajesh Maurya, Adv., Mrs. Kshama Sharma, Adv., Mr. Ujjwal Ashutosh, Adv., Ms. Alankrit Singh, Adv., Mr. Rajat Singh Chandel, Adv., Ms. Avi Sahai, Adv., Mr. Ram Bachan Choudhary, Adv.
For the Respondent(s): Ms. Ankita Sharma, AOR, Mr. Arjun D. Singh, Adv., Ms. Ishika Neogi, Adv., Mr. Divya Tripathi, Adv., Miss Geetanjali Mohan, AOR, Mr. Kaustubh Shukla, AOR, Ms. Pushpanjali Singh, Adv., Mr. Vipul Kumar, Adv., Ms. Gursimrat Kaur, Adv.

Adherence to procedural timelines is critical for ensuring fairness in judicial proceedings.

Headnote:The Supreme Court addressed multiple Special Leave Petitions concerning service of notices and counter affidavits. The Court analyzed procedural compliance under relevant rules, emphasizing the necessity for timely filings by respondents. The Court highlighted the absence of counter affidavits despite completion of service. Issues of procedural missteps raised critical queries about compliance with service requirements. The Court's rationale centered on ensuring fair opportunity for respondents to present their cases, reiterating the need for adherence to procedural timelines. The final directive involved granting additional time for the respondents to file necessary documents, subject to further listing for compliance.

ORDER

SLP(C) No. 6279/2025

Service was complete on respondent nos. 3 and 4 on 10.03.2025, on respondent no.5 on 17.04.2025, on respondent no.6 on 26.03.2025, on respondent no.7 on 17.03.2025 and on respondent no.8 on 12.03.2025 but none has entered appearance.

Service was complete on respondent nos. 1 and 2 in March, 2025 but no counter affidavit has been filed yet. Hence, last opportunity is granted to file the same by 13.02.2026. If filed let the same be taken on record, else further opportunity would stand declined.

Mr. Kaustubh Shukla, ld.Advocate-on-record has filed an application seeking intervention on behalf of the six applicants alongwith the vakalatnama and an application regarding objections on behalf of the complainants.

Registry thereafter to process the matter for listing before the Hon'ble Court as per rules alongwith pending applications.

SLP(C) No. 21912/2025

Service was complete on respondent nos. 2,4,5 and 6 in September, 2025 but none has entered appearance.

Service was complete on respondent nos. 1 and 3 in September, 2025 but no counter affidavit has been filed yet. Hence, last opportunity is granted to file the same by 13.02.2026. If filed let the same be taken on record, else further opportunity would stand declined.

Registry thereafter to process the matter for listing before the Hon'ble Court as per rules.

SLP(C) No. 30423/2025

Service was complete on respondent nos. 1 and 3 in November, 2025 but no counter affidavit has been filed yet. Hence, last opportunity is granted to file the same by 13.02.2026. If filed let the same be taken on record, else further opportunity would stand declined.

Service was complete on respondent no.4 in November, 2025. Ld. Advocate-on-record, Ms Geetanjali Mohan appearing on behalf of the said respondent submits that vakalatnama has been filed and seeks time to file counter affidavit. Registry to verify and update the records. As no counter affidavit has been filed within the time provided under the rules, last opportunity is granted to file the same by 13.02.2026. If filed, be taken on record, else further opportunity would stand declined.

Service was complete on respondent nos. 2, 5 to 7, 9 and 10 in November, 2025 but none has entered appearance.

Ld. counsel for the petitioner to take fresh steps and file fresh particulars by 13.02.2026 with regard to service on respondent no.8.

List again on 12.03.2026.

SLP(C) No. 23641/2025

Service was complete on respondent no.1 on 14.10.2025 but no counter affidavit has been filed yet. Hence, last opportunity is granted to file the same by 13.02.2026. If filed let the same be taken on record, else further opportunity would stand declined.

Service was complete on respondent nos. 2 to 5 and 7 to 11 in October, 2025 but none has entered appearance.

Ld. Counsel for the petitioner to take appropriate steps by 20.02.2026 with regard to deceased respondent no.6.

List again on 12.03.2026.

SLP(C) No. 27519/2025

Service was complete on respondent nos. 2 and 4 to 6 in November, 2025 but none has entered appearance.

Service was complete on respondent no.3 in November, 2025.

Ld. Advocate-on-record, Ms Geetanjali Mohan undertakes to appear for the said respondent and seeks time to file vakalatnama and counter affidavit. Counter affidavit be filed by 13.02.2026 as last opportunity. If filed, be taken on record, else further opportunity would stand declined. Vakalatnama be filed as per rules.

Service was complete on respondent no.1 on 10.11.2025 but no counter affidavit has been filed yet. Hence, last opportunity is granted to file the same by 13.02.2026. If filed let the same be taken on record, else further opportunity would stand declined.

Registry thereafter to process the matter for listing before the Hon'ble Court as per rules.

SLP(C) No. 29850/2025

Ld. Counsel, Mr Maitreya appearing on behalf of Ms Ankita Sharma, Advocate-on-record appears for respondent no.1 and submits that vakalatnama has been filed and seeks time to file counter affidavit. Registry to verify

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2026 Supreme(Online)(SC) 270

SUPREME COURT OF INDIAAJAY KUMAR NAG & ORS. – AppellantVersusSTATE OF CHHATTISGARH & ORS. – RespondentSpecial Leave to Appeal (C) No. 6279/2025 | SLP(C) No. 21912/2025 | SLP(C) No. 30423/2025 | SLP(C) No. 23641/2025 | SLP(C) No. 27519/2025 | SLP(C) No. 29850/2025 | SLP(C) No. 35927/2025

Adherence to procedural timelines is critical for ensuring fairness in judicial proceedings.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
AJAY KUMAR NAG & ORS. – Appellant
Versus
STATE OF CHHATTISGARH & ORS. – Respondent
Special Leave to Appeal (C) No. 6279/2025 | SLP(C) No. 21912/2025 | SLP(C) No. 30423/2025 | SLP(C) No. 23641/2025 | SLP(C) No. 27519/2025 | SLP(C) No. 29850/2025 | SLP(C) No. 35927/2025