SUO MOTU Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This suo motu petition is placed before us on the judicial side by the Registry under the roster assignment "suo motu matters in judicial practice and procedure" in view of the order dtd. 25/7/2024 passed by the Division Bench of this Court in Cont. Case (C) No. 551 of 2024 and connected cases.

(2.) The Division Bench highlighted the delays in listing contempt cases, restoration petitions, time extension petitions, etc., when one among the Judges of the Division Bench retires, when the Judge who passed the order/judgment while sitting in Single retires or when both the Judges of the Division Bench are part of different Benches as per the Roster. We have passed a separate order regarding Restoration Petitions (MJC) and time extension petitions.

(3.) Presently, in this Court, Contempt Petitions are being placed before the same Bench or Judge who passed the original order. The Registry has highlighted that following such a procedure causes delays and the constitution of a special bench outside the Roster, thereby affecting the regular functioning of the court.