Institute of Legal and Management Studies

Taking note of continuing delay in pronouncement of judgments by the Jharkhand High Court, the Supreme Court recently suggested that its judges take leaves and clear the backlog.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi was dealing with 6 petitions raising grievances with respect to recruitment process of home guards in the state. The High Court apparently failed to pronounce the judgments in the petitioners' cases despite lapse of 2 years (since 2023).

The petitioners were declared successful in a recruitment process for home guards held in 2017. However, despite the selection, their appointment remained pending. They approached the High Court for relief and in 2023, the High Court reserved orders in their cases. But despite lapse of 2 years, the judgments in these cases were not pronounced.

During the hearing on August 8, the Supreme Court was informed that order(s) in the petitioners' cases had been released. But, going through a report filed by the High Court in sealed cover, the Court noted that judgments in 61 other cases were yet to be released. As such, it called on Jharkhand High Court judges to release 'reasoned' orders in the cases, without focusing too much on 'jurisprudence' etc.

Listing the matter in November, the Court impressed upon the High Court to take urgent steps to address the pendency of reserved judgments.

It may be recalled that the Supreme Court was recently seized of 2 other cases (click here and here) where issue of reserved judgments in criminal matters not being released by the Jharkhand High Court was raised. Taking serious note, a bench led by Justice Kant called on the Registrar General of the Jharkhand High Court in April to submit a status report regarding the reserved judgments in a sealed cover. The scope of the report sought was later expanded to all High Courts and included even civil cases.

The top Court's intervention resulted in release of some of the pending judgments.

Appearance: Senior Advocate Nikhil Goel, Advocate Alok Kumar and AoR Vanya Gupta (for petitioners); Senior Advocate Ajit Sinha (for Jharkhand High Court)

Case Title: POONAM KUMARI Versus THE STATE OF JHARKHAND AND ORS., W.P.(C) No. 489/2025 (and connected cases)