This article is written by Trishla Chhangani, a law graduate (B.A. LL.B., 2025) from Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur.
“while Article 136 empowers the Supreme Court to safeguard institutional integrity, such intervention must respect the autonomy of High Courts and the administrative prerogative of their Chief Justices.”
The division bench of Justice. J.B. PARDIWALA and Justice R. MAHADEVAN observed that although the Supreme Court possesses constitutional responsibility under Article 136 to intervene when matter raise institutional concerns affecting the rule of law, deference must be shown to the administrative authority of the Chief Justice of a High Court as the master of the roster.
The court further stated that Directions affecting judicial assignments of a High Court judge should ordinarily be left to the discretion of the Chief Justice of that High Court, even when institutional concerns exist.
The matter concerns The Supreme Court’s order for over reaching its limits under Article 136 which was intervened by the Chief Justice of India requesting for reconsideration of certain directions where The Allahabad High Court’s judgment was set aside, and the matter was remanded for fresh consideration.
The High Court was also directed to withdraw criminal jurisdiction from a sitting judge and restrict future assignments due to multiple erroneous orders.
The matter was then re-notified for consideration upon the request of the chief justice of India.
The court ruled that the order dated 4 August 2025 was modified to include the removal of certain directions due to the written request of the Chief Justice of India.
The court directed The Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court with the task of investigating the matter, emphasizing that High Courts must uphold the rule of law and institutional credibility, and that If the Rule of Law is not maintained or protected within the court itself, then that would be the end of the entire justice delivery system in the country.
The court further stated that Judges at any level are expected to work efficiently, discharge their duties diligently and always strive hard to fulfill their constitutional oath.
Therefore the special leave petition was accordingly disposed of and a copy of the order was directed to be forwarded to the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court.
Case details
Case – M/S. SHIKHAR CHEMICALS VERSUS THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH & ANR.
Citation- 2025 INSC 945 (SLP (Crl.) No. 11445 of 2025
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