SC blames itself for huge rush in courtrooms

The Supreme Court on Wednesday virtually blamed itself for huge rush and overcrowding in its courtrooms after Uttar Pradesh government claimed its counsel could not make a presence, resulting in demolition order of multi-level parking lot near Taj Mahal.

The apex court's bench presided over by Justice Madan B Lokur on Tuesday ordered for demolition of the parking structure within four weeks after finding that the state counsel was not present.

A day after, state's Additional Advocate General Aishwarya Bhati urgently mentioned the matter before a bench presided over by Justice J Chelameswar. She pointed out to the adverse consequences suffered by the state government in view of inability of the counsel to appear before the court due to 'overcrowding' in the courtroom.

The bench, also comprising Justice S Abdul Nazeer, could not but agree to her submission. After asking senior advocate R Vankatramani's views about the huge rush being seen in the courtroom, the bench said, “In the last 70 years, unfortunately, what we (SC) have done is we weakened our High Courts. Many matters reaching here could have been settled at the High Court level.”

The court, however, agreed to list the UP government's plea for restoration of its application relating to the parking construction for consideration on October 27.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is scheduled to visit Taj Mahal in Agra this week to inaugurate a number of facilities at one of the major tourists attraction in the country.