New Delhi, 25 September (H.S.):

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the use of Hindi as the official language of the apex court. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant observed that such changes cannot be brought about through judicial orders and must instead be introduced gradually and in a phased manner. The Supreme Court, the bench said, is already working in that direction.

The PIL, filed by Brahmeshwar Nath Mishra, sought a direction to the Central Government to constitute a commission to make recommendations on adopting Hindi as the official language of the Supreme Court. The bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana said during the hearing that language-related reforms were already being undertaken at the administrative level and could not be implemented through judicial orders.

Appearing for Mishra, the counsel argued that the Central Government could be directed to constitute such a commission and cited several provisions of the Constitution in support of the plea. In response, the CJI said the Supreme Court was already undertaking language-related reforms gradually and in phases.

The Chief Justice said that the court is currently providing brief summaries of all reports in Hindi and would adopt a similar approach for other regional languages as well.

The bench reiterated that such reforms could not be implemented through judicial orders and would have to be introduced gradually in different stages. It further observed that the kind of change sought in the petition would require a constitutional amendment.

Despite the counsel’s request that the court at least direct the constitution of a commission, the bench declined to do so and dismissed the petition.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar