New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Tuesday highlighted that the practice of reserving judgments for months without making them public is an “identifiable ailment” in the judicial system that must be eradicated to ensure timely delivery of justice.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi was hearing a plea regarding the Jharkhand High Court, which orally pronounced a judgment dismissing a petition on December 4, 2025, but had not yet uploaded the verdict. The court directed that a complete copy of the judgment be provided to the counsel by the end of next week.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the litigant, described the delay as “playing with the majesty of law,” suggesting that mere lip service was being paid to judicial obligations.

The Chief Justice explained that there are broadly two kinds of judges—those who reserve judgments but eventually deliver them, and those who delay delivery indefinitely. “This is a challenge before the judiciary and this is an identifiable ailment. It has to be treated and eradicated and it cannot be allowed to spread,” he said, emphasizing that the issue is systemic rather than personal.

He also referred to the common practice where cases are heard and then adjourned for further directions, stating that he would raise the issue in his upcoming meeting with the chief justices of high courts to find solutions to prevent such avoidable delays.

“In my 15 years as a high court judge, I never reserved a judgment and failed to deliver it within three months,” the CJI added.

The bench noted that the Jharkhand High Court’s judgment dated December 4, 2025, had yet to be uploaded and stressed that there was “no rhyme or reason for such delay.” The matter is now scheduled for listing in the week beginning February 16.

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In November 2025, the Supreme Court had directed all high courts to submit detailed reports on the timelines for reserved judgments, including dates of reservation, pronouncement, and uploading. Compliance is being closely monitored, with certified copies of judgments required to clearly record these three dates.