The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed serious concern over the listing of cases at various High Courts of the country, especially the Allahabad High Court.
The Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh made the observation on a petition filed by Uttar Pradesh MLA Abbas Ansari, alleging that his case related to a property dispute was not being heard by the High Court, despite a specific direction issued by the Apex Court.
Calling it one of the largest High Courts in the country, the Bench observed that it was particularly ‘worried’ about the functioning of the Allahabad High Court.
The filing and listing system at the Allahabad High Court has completely collapsed. Nobody knew which matter was to be listed, it noted.
The Bench asked about the High Court Bench hearing the matter. After being apprised about the High Court judge, who was to hear Ansari’s petition, the top court of the country observed that he was among the best judges in the country. The High Court judge wrote well and had clarity, it added.
The Apex Court then ordered status quo at the site in question till the High Court took up Ansari’s petition and directed that the matter be listed at the earliest before the High Court.
The top court of the country further directed that its order should be brought to the notice of the Division Bench at the Allahabad High Court as well.
Ansari had moved the Apex Court in 2024 also, in connection with a family property, which was declared as an evacuee property (government property).
It was submitted that while the other affected persons had been granted interim protection by the High Court, he was denied the same.
Since the High Court did not give him protection against the order passed by the Dalibagh Sub-Divisional Magistrate, the State of Uttar Pradesh took physical possession of the plot in question and started construction of some dwelling units at the site under the Prime Minister Awas Yojna.
The Apex Court had directed the High Court to take up the interim stay application moved by the petitioner out-of-turn and conduct hearing on the same before November 4, 2024.
The Supreme Court has earlier also expressed concerns over the high pendency of criminal appeals, especially in the Allahabad High Court.