Unauthorised Photostate Copies in Court Petitions Face Scrutiny; Registrar General to Implement Measures
In a pivotal directive issued by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, presided over by Justice Rahul Bharti, the court has mandated the submission of only certified copies of annexures in all petitions. This directive comes in response to the growing practice of submitting uncertified photostate copies of court documents, which were obtained without proper authorization.
The order was pronounced in the case of Fayaz Ahmad Sheikh and others versus Qamar Un Nisa and others, where the court emphasized the need for authenticity and proper certification of documents accompanying petitions. Justice Bharti observed that the practice of submitting uncertified copies was improper and indicative of unauthorized access to court records.
The court has directed the Registrar General to issue strict instructions to the Presiding Officers and clerks of all courts within the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. This directive aims to ensure that no uncertified court documents are presented in future petitions. In cases where such submissions are detected, explanations will be required from the Presiding Officers and the concerned clerks involved in the case.
The counsel for the petitioners has been given a one-week deadline to submit the necessary certified copies of the annexures. The court has scheduled the next hearing for February 23, 2026, to review compliance and further proceedings.
This move underscores the High Court's commitment to maintaining the integrity of judicial processes and preventing unauthorized access to court records. The Registrar Judicial, Srinagar, has been tasked with forwarding the order to the Registrar General for immediate action and implementation of the court's instructions.
Bottom Line:
Instructions for certified copies of court documents - Court directs strict measures to ensure that annexures submitted in petitions are certified copies, prohibiting the submission of uncertified photostate copies obtained from court records without proper authorization.
Statutory provision(s): None specified in the judgment.
Fayaz Ahmad Sheikh v. Qamar Un Nisa, (Jammu And Kashmir)(Srinagar) : Law Finder Doc id # 2861749
