The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed its disapproval of its registry allegedly referring a service dispute case to the Lok Adalat for settlement, despite the case involving parties with criminal backgrounds [Sanjay Kumar Jatav v. State of Madhya Pradesh and Others].
The Court was hearing an appeal challenging an August 2019 decision of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which upheld the rejection of the appellant’s candidature for the position of constable due to his concealment of criminal prosecution in the verification form.
Initially, the appellant was included in the list of selected candidates, but his name was later removed after it was discovered that he had concealed his criminal history.
When the matter was brought up for hearing, the counsel for the appellant informed the bench of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah that the case had been referred to the Lok Adalat and he had received notice of the same, scheduled for July 19.
The Court expressed surprise at this referral.
“How can a service matter be sent to Lok Adalat? Have you informed them that you have criminal antecedents?” Justice Dhulia asked.
The advocate for the appellant explained that he had circulated a letter to the Supreme Court registry, which then referred the matter to Lok Adalat.
Justice Amanullah, visibly upset, remarked, “How can the Supreme Court registry do that? This is complete anarchy. We will call the registry then.”
However, instead of passing an official order, Justice Dhulia was heard orally directing the bench secretary to ask a senior registry official to meet him in his chamber.
“Ask the senior registry officials to meet me in my chamber,” Justice Dhulia was heard saying.
