Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 10: High Court today took serious note of non-appearance of the State counsel and directed the Commissioner Secretary General Administration Department and Vigilance Commissioner to appear in person.
The direction was passed when the petitions filed by the State Vigilance Organization against the order of Special Judge Anticorruption whereby the seized property of Mumtaz Hussain Bhat and others was released, came up for hearing.
Taking serious note of non-appearance of State counsel, Justice Ali Mohd Magrey observed, “the petitioner-Vigilance Organization has failed in its endeavor to ensure appearance of counsels before the Court. The Vigilance Organization has wasted time of the Court on the dates these petitions were listed and same is the position today”.
After hearing Advocate SH Rather with Advocate Rajnesh Singh Parihar for the Mumtaz Hussain Bhat and Others, Justice Magrey further observed, “the delay in disposal of the cases is due to many reasons but the one is apparent because of the non appearance of the counsel for the parties. It is not a matter which can be dismissed for want of prosecution; otherwise also, State is required to make effective arrangements for defending their cases in the Court”.
“The State having failed to appear in the matter, leaving no option but to direct appearance of the Commissioner-cum-Secretary, General Administration Department and the Vigilance Commissioner before this Court on the next date of hearing to explain the reasons for non appearance of their counsels”, Justice Magrey said.
The High Court directed Registry to send copy of this order to the Chief Secretary in its entirety, who shall take effective steps for ensuring that cases of the State are represented without seeking adjournments.
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