Rein appeared before the Court in person today and highlighted the severe procedural delays built into the current system.
I am on life and liberty cases," she said.
CJI Surya Kant, while sympathetic to the underlying intent, countered with the harsh logistical realities faced by the court’s registry.
The Court also flagged concerns about whether the round-the-clock availability of courts could be misused even to press for the hearing of non-urgent cases.
This should only be for matters of life and liberty," responded CJI Kant, before issuing notice in the matter.
Rein appeared before the Court in person today and highlighted the severe procedural delays built into the current system. She emphasised that the current framework places a heavy procedural burden on litigants during overnight emergencies.
"If I file something after 6 PM for a very urgent thing… then next morning my clerk is before the registry telling them how important it is. Think about the litigant... I am on life and liberty cases," she said.
CJI Surya Kant, while sympathetic to the underlying intent, countered with the harsh logistical realities faced by the court’s registry. He pointed to how the system frequently gets clogged by poorly drafted, bloated petitions.
"It is not a regular practice… but it is often seen how vague and incomplete paperbooks are filed," the CJI observed.
The Bench eventually inidicated its willingness to consider a systemic solution.
The Court also flagged concerns about whether the round-the-clock availability of courts could be misused even to press for the hearing of non-urgent cases.
This was after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta pointed out that it is difficult to decide which cases must be heard on urgent basis beyond regular working hours.
"If tomorrow, I file a plea at 11 PM, about a 9 AM COC next morning - then how can bench hear it at midnight? Then also, it is difficult to bifurcate the urgency. This can be handled on the administrative side," said Mehta.
"Yes, it can be misused also. This should only be for matters of life and liberty," responded CJI Kant, before issuing notice in the matter.
