Allahabad High Court
SALMAN AKHTARversusSTATE OF UP AND 12 OTHERS
- Decided
- Bench
- KSHITIJ SHAILENDRA
Holding
The High Court ordered the trial court to dispose of the pending case within four months and allowed parties to appear in person if counsel is absent.
Summary
The petitioner, Salman Akhtar, sought an expeditious disposal of a pending civil suit (Case No. 19447 of 2025) that had been delayed for over one and a half years, partly due to lawyers' strikes. The High Court noted that despite intermittent strikes, substantive orders had been passed on some dates. Considering the prolonged pendency and the nature of the proceedings, the Court directed the trial court to decide the matter within four months of receipt of this order. The direction was made subject to the cooperation of the parties and their counsel. Additionally, the Court empowered the trial court officer to allow parties to appear in person and argue if their lawyers fail to attend.
Issues considered
- Whether the High Court can direct the trial court to dispose of a pending case expeditiously within a specified time frame.
- Whether parties may be permitted to appear in person and argue the matter if their counsel does not attend due to a strike.
Subjects
- expeditious disposal
- case management
- lawyer strike
- procedural direction
- high court order
Judgment
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
WRIT - C No. - 38473 of 2026
Salman Akhtar
.....Petitioner(s)
Versus
State Of Up And 12 Others
.....Respondent(s)
Counsel for Petitioner(s) : Mangleshwar Verma
Counsel for Respondent(s) : C.S.C.
Court No. - 4
HON'BLE KSHITIJ SHAILENDRA, J.
1. Prayer for expeditious disposal of Case No. 19447 of 2025
(Computerized Case No. T202505310319447) (Salman Akhtar Vs.
Iftekharul Haq) has been made in this petition.
2. Although on various dates, lawyers remained on strike before the court
concerned, however, on certain dates, matter was heard and substantive
orders were also passed.
3. Considering the nature of proceedings and the fact that the same are
pending for the last more than one and half years, the petition is disposed
of directing the court concerned where the matter is pending to decide the
same expeditiously in accordance with law within a period of four
months from the date a copy of this order is produced before it.
4. This direction is, however, subject to cooperation by the parties and
their counsel and in case the lawyers do not attend the court, the officer
concerned shall be competent to permit the parties to appear in person and
argue the matter.
(Kshitij Shailendra,J.)
September 23, 2026
AKShukla/-
Digitally signed by :-
ANIL KUMAR SHUKLA
High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
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