The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed worry about developments taking place at High Courts, particularly the Allahabad High Court when it comes to listing of cases. .The Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh made the remark during the hearing of a plea moved by Uttar Pradesh MLA Abbas Ansari who said his case related to a property dispute was not being heard by the High Court."We don't want to comment. Some of the High Courts we don't know what will happen and this is one of the High Court which really one should be worrisome about," Justice Surya Kant remarked.At this, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal said,"I also don't want to comment. very very worrisome."Justice Kant then referred to problems related to listing of cases at the High Court."Unfortunately, filing has collapsed, listing has collapsed, nobody knows which matter will be listed and I was there on last Saturday and had long interactions with some of the concerned judges and registrar," he said..Ansari had approached the top court last year as well in relation to a his family property, which was declared an evacuee property (i.e., government property).It was submitted that while other affected had been granted interim protection by the High Court, he was denied the same. His grievance was that since High Court had not given him protection against Dalibagh Sub-Divisional Magistrate's order, the State had taken physical possession of the plot and started construction of some dwelling units at the site under the Prima Minister Awas Yojna.The top court had then directed the High Court to "take up the application for interim stay moved by the petitioner, for hearing as early as possible and in any case on 04.11.2024."It had also said that the application be taken up for hearing out of turn, if so required, so that the prayer of the petitioner for interim protection can be appropriately adjudicated..Today, Sibal said the case was still not being taken up for hearing despite the top court's order.“What do we do in these matters? See what is happening in that court, despite the order.. If high courts do this, where does the citizen go,” Sibal said.The top court then expressed concern over the developments at the High Court. The Court also asked about the High Court Bench hearing the matter. When informed, it observed that the High Court judge before whom it is listed is among the best judges in the country.“He is actually one of the best judges, he writes well and has clarity,” Justice Kant said.“It is the individual, Abbas Ansari,” Sibal said..In the order passed later, the Court ordered status quo at the site in question till the High Court hears Ansari’s plea. The top court also ordered that the matter be listed at earliest before the High Court. It further directed that its order be brought to the notice of the Division Bench there.
