Institute of Legal and Management Studies

After being apprised of about 40% vacancy in its Labour and Industrial Courts, the Supreme Court today issued notice to the State of Gujarat and its High Court.

"It seems to us that prima facie, State of Gujarat, in consultation with the High Court, is required to provide adequate secretarial assistance and other infrastructural facilities to a variety of courts. Let notice be issued", the Court ordered.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi passed the order after noting issues flagged by Amicus Curiae Astha Sharma in suo motu proceedings initiated earlier.

The Amicus informed the Court that information received from the Gujarat High Court, pursuant to the Court's orders, was shocking.

"Almost 40% vacancies in the Labour and Industrial Courts, complaints of sexual harassment, corruption against the officials...but no culmination. In fact, there are no stenographers. The ad hoc pools are being used on daily basis, therefore, there is no accountability. Reason of pendency of cases, as attributed by the High Court, is non-availability of counsels in most of the cases, which is quite shocking. Only 11 mediators have been trained in the state for alternate dispute resolution", she said.

Hearing the submissions, the bench issued notice to State of Gujarat through its Chief Secretary and to the High Court through its Registrar General. A copy of the Amicus' report was ordered to be sent to the High Court in sealed cover. Further, the bench directed that the Standing Counsel for Gujarat be apprised about the order, so they can appear with instructions on the next date.

In a previous order, the Court had noted that the High Court may be requested to send detailed information with respect to (i) grant of Selection Grade to the Officers of the Superior Judicial Services, subject to fulfilment of the criteria as prescribed in the Rules by the High Court and as to whether the due Selection Grade has been granted or not.

"Similarly, this Court should also be apprised as to whether the Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) are communicated to the officers timely. The details of the Annual Assessment order and the period within which the ACR has been communicated shall also be furnished. However, if the ACRs have not been communicated, reason thereof may also be placed on record", it added.

Case Title: GUJARAT INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION LTD. Versus VARANASI SRINIVAS AND ORS., MA 1340/2025 in C.A. No. 7119/2025