The Gujarat High Court has taken strong exception to repeated instances of trial court judges failing to arrive on time or promptly take their seats on the dais.
Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal, expressing displeasure over what she termed a serious dereliction of duty, directed the issuance of a strict circular to all lower court judges and judicial officers.The circular warns that continued disregard for court timings — including late arrival, delayed seating, early exit from the dais, or leaving for home before hours — will invite disciplinary action.
Despite earlier warnings, reports indicated persistent non-compliance, prompting the Chief Justice to intervene again.The Registrar General has circulated the directive to all district, sessions, family, small causes, and industrial courts, stressing mandatory punctuality and strict adherence to working hours.
The renewed crackdown has triggered concern within the lower judiciary as the High Court prepares to monitor punctuality with heightened seriousness.