Supreme Court Observes Global Issue of Non-Existent Judgments in Courts and Urges Vigilance
In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has expunged remarks made by the High Court against Heart And Soul Entertainment Ltd., concerning the citation of a non-existent judgment. The apex court observed that the citation of non-existent judgments is a pervasive issue not only in India but globally, urging courts and practitioners to exercise caution.
The case, Heart And Soul Entertainment Ltd. v. Deepak, was brought before the Supreme Court as a Petition for Special Leave to Appeal. The petitioner, represented by its Director appearing in-person via video conference, sought to challenge specific observations made by the High Court in paragraph 22 of its judgment. The remarks pertained to the citation of a judgment that allegedly did not exist.
Presiding over the case, Justices Rajesh Bindal and Vijay Bishnoi acknowledged the Director's claim that he did not cite the non-existent judgment. However, the Supreme Court chose not to delve into the specifics of the petitioner's claim. Instead, as an act of indulgence, the court decided to expunge the High Court's remarks, emphasizing the seriousness of the issue.
The Supreme Court underscored the rampant nature of citing non-existent judgments, describing it as a global menace that needs careful attention. The court highlighted its ongoing judicial considerations on the matter, indicating a broader concern about the integrity of legal citations and the potential for misinformation in legal proceedings.
With these observations, the Supreme Court disposed of the Special Leave Petition, along with any pending applications related to the case.
Bottom Line:
Remarks made by High Court against petitioner regarding citation of a non-existent judgment expunged by Supreme Court - Observed that the menace of citing non-existent judgments is a rampant issue in courts globally, and caution is required.
Statutory provision(s): Special Leave Petition.
Heart And Soul Entertainment Ltd. v. Deepak, (SC) : Law Finder Doc id # 2872025
