Punjab and Haryana High Court Slams Power Utility for Casual Litigation, Dismisses 16-Year-Old Appeal
In a stern rebuke, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed a regular second appeal filed by Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd (DHBVN) and other appellants, which had been pending for nearly 16 years. The court criticized the power utility for pursuing the litigation in a "casual and careless" manner, highlighting that such behavior wastes precious judicial time in a system already grappling with a massive backlog of cases.
Court Condemns Waste of Judicial Resources
Justice Nidhi Gupta, presiding over the case, observed that the appeal, filed in 2010, had remained at the arguments stage even after over a decade and a half. The court noted that the record revealed repeated adjournments due to non-representation by the appellants' counsel or requests for delays by the appellants themselves. When the case was called for a resumed hearing, no one appeared on behalf of the appellants despite the matter being called twice, further demonstrating their indifference.
The High Court emphasized that litigants cannot be permitted to squander court time, especially given the staggering backlog. Currently, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has over 4.20 lakh cases pending, including 46,681 second appeals. This dismissal serves as a warning against frivolous or negligent litigation practices that exacerbate judicial delays.
Background of the Case and Court's Ruling
The appeal was filed by DHBVN and other appellants against concurrent judgments from the trial court and the first appellate court, which had decreed a suit for declaration in favor of a respondent-stone crusher. The court asserted that the appellants' conduct reflected a blatant disregard for the judicial process, stating, "A bare reading of the facts shows that the appellants have exhibited an utterly casual attitude in the pursuit of the present litigation."
It added that the approach adopted by the appellants indicated they were not interested in prosecuting the case, leaving the court with no option but to dismiss the appeal. This ruling underscores the judiciary's commitment to efficiency and accountability, urging all parties to engage seriously in legal proceedings to prevent further clogging of the courts.
The decision comes amid ongoing efforts to address judicial backlogs across India, with courts increasingly taking a firm stance against delays caused by litigant negligence. By dismissing this long-pending appeal, the High Court sends a clear message that such casual conduct will not be tolerated, aiming to streamline the legal process and ensure timely justice for all.
