SC's remarks reflect exasperation, evoke reaction from experts

NEW DELHI: Burdened with a huge backlog of cases and a steady rise in litigation, the exasperation of the Supreme Court has come live with some recent remarks reflecting helplessness that its orders are not being followed, with legal experts expressing varied views on it.

The observations like "Nobody listens to our orders" and "why is there a mistrust", coupled with comments like "citizens and the executive of this country have to accept and obey orders of the Supreme Court," have hogged the limelight in the recent past, but critics are of the view that the judges should not shy away from giving unambigous directions.

"All cases are not judicially manageable," said senior advocate K T S Tulsi but added that it does not in anyway come in the way of the apex court in giving directions.

Skeptical of such observations, Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand said the issue was not about defying orders, but the apex court has to take into account the time needed for implementation of the orders by the competent authorities, which follow a defined process.

Disapproving such observations, senior lawyer Vikas Singh said the apex court was not exercising its powers correctly and the government was taking full advantage of it.

"The Supreme Court is not issuing directions but is hoping that the government will do something. It should not expect from the government but be clear in what kind of assistance it requires from it.

"I feel there is a lack on the part of the Supreme Court in exercising its powers. The government is taking full advantage of it," Singh said.