Stories
SC Rejects Ex-Judge's Priority Hearing Plea: Justice Equal for All
- •The Supreme Court declined a former district judge's plea for an expedited hearing, stating his past position does not warrant preferential treatment.
- •Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana emphasized that access to justice must be equal for all litigants, regardless of their status or former office.
- •The Court highlighted that granting priority to one case could disadvantage numerous other litigants awaiting their turn.
- •The bench asserted that "Whether he is a bus peon or even the Principal Secretary of the State, it does not make a difference. Everyone has an equal right to access justice."
- •The former judicial officer had sought an early hearing for his challenge against termination, pending before the Allahabad High Court due to its heavy workload.
Key Questions Answered
The Supreme Court rejected the plea because it held that a litigant's former judicial position cannot justify preferential treatment or out-of-turn hearings. The Bench emphasized that access to justice must remain equal for all citizens, and prioritizing one person would be unfair to numerous other litigants waiting for their cases to be heard.
The former district judge was seeking an expedited hearing for his challenge against his termination from service, which had been pending before the Allahabad High Court due to a heavy workload.
The Supreme Court indicated that an application seeking expeditious consideration would only be treated differently if the court is satisfied that there has been an egregious breach by the High Court or an unfair or dishonest statement.
