HC intends to issue guidelines to ensure ‘transparent’ functioning of own Registry

A division bench was "disturbed" to note that some advocates and litigants were resorting to some tactics like filing multiple vakalatnamas and also changing advocates, to obtain favourable orders.

The Bombay High Court recently took cognizance of the "illegal and unethical" practices prevailing in its own Registry. The HC has intended to issue guidelines to ensure transparent functioning of the Registry.

A division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Sarang Kotwal recently directed the Registrar to seek approval from Acting Chief Justice Vijaya Tahilramani, so that specific directions can be passed.

Justice Oka in his orders passed while presiding over a special vacation court said, "The earlier orders passed by another division bench will have to be taken to its logical end. We direct the Registry to place this Appeal before the same Bench, subject to approval of the Acting Chief Justice, so that necessary directions, if any, can be issued by this Bench."

These orders were passed after a division bench led by Justice Satyaranjan Dharmadhikari was "disturbed" to note that some advocates and litigants were resorting to some tactics like filing multiple vakalatnamas and also changing advocates, to obtain favourable orders. The judges were unhappy to note that despite these tactics being illegal and against the norms, the officials handling criminal matters in the registry were accepting these vakalatnamas.

In his orders passed in April, Justice Dharmadhikari had observed, "The Registry thus becomes a party to several unhealthy, unethical practices and sometimes knowingly. It is rather surprising that these illegal and unethical practices are ignored by the Registrar General, Registrar Judicial I and II. We are constrained, therefore, to direct the Registrar (Judicial) to hold an inquiry and if he fails to do so, we will hold him responsible for what is going on in the Criminal department of the Bombay High Court appellate side Registry."