On Monday, the Supreme Court directed its registry to reject black-and-white photographs included in pleadings unless prior permission is obtained. This order came from a Bench led by Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan in the case of [Savita Rasiklal Madan and anr v Union of India and ors].
The Court observed that the longstanding practice of submitting black-and-white photocopies often resulted in blurry and unclear images being filed with petitions. Justice Surya Kant remarked that parties frequently submitted indistinct black-and-white photos, and the registry has now been instructed to refuse such submissions without prior court approval.
The directive was issued while the Bench was reviewing a land compensation and rehabilitation case from Daman and Diu. The same Bench had previously expressed concerns on August 20 about lawyers using ‘misleading’ photographs taken with mobile phones, which were also found to be appended to pleadings in a land encroachment case.
Justice Kant had criticized the practice, stating, “Photos taken with mobile phones and simply attached as annexures are unacceptable. I may soon issue a very harsh order against members of the Bar if this continues. Such practices are not tolerated in High Courts.”
He also suggested that those found guilty of such conduct might face severe consequences, including the possible revocation of their licenses.
