New Delhi, May 29 (H.S.): The Supreme Court of India has expressed serious concern over the growing number of pending and reserved judgments in High Courts across the country and has issued a comprehensive set of guidelines to ensure the timely delivery of justice. The apex court stated that in cases where judgments have been reserved, verdicts should ideally be pronounced within a maximum period of three months.

The Supreme Court further directed that orders in bail-related matters should, as far as possible, be issued on the very next day and communicated to the jail authorities on the same day. The Court also emphasized that undertrial prisoners who have been granted bail must be released either on the same day or, at the latest, by the following day.

Issuing the guidelines, the apex court said that courts must first pronounce the operative portion of the order in open court, while the detailed reasons and judgment should be uploaded on the official website within seven days. The Court also directed that the date on which a judgment is reserved must be prominently displayed on the respective High Court’s website.

The Supreme Court observed that if the prescribed timelines are not adhered to, the matter may be reassigned to another bench. It further stated that if the detailed reasons for a judgment are not uploaded within 30 days, the case may be withdrawn and placed before a newly constituted bench for fresh consideration.

The apex court has instructed the Registrars General of all High Courts to place these guidelines before the respective Chief Justices to ensure their effective implementation across the country.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar