Failure Of State Authorities In Taking Timely Decisions Increases Pendency Of Cases Before Courts: Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court has observed that failure of State Authorities in timely taking decisions piles up the pendency of cases before the courts.

The Bench of Justice Manju Rani Chauhan while dealing with a Writ Petition observed, "I am constrained to express my concern over the casual functioning of the State instrumentalities, because they are under a special obligation to ensure that they will perform their duties with diligence and commitment and not to become the cause of overburdening the courts due to their lethargic approach in taking decisions in trivial matters. Failure of State authorities in timely taking decision piles up the pendency of cases before the courts."

The Petitioner was represented by Advocate Anurag Shukla, while the Respondent was represented by C.S.C.

On a previous occasion, at the request of the Standing Counsel, the matter was posted for today, granting time to obtain instructions. During the hearing, the Counsel showed his inability to assist the Court in the absence of instructions. He stated that despite intimation to the authority concerned, no instruction has yet been provided to him.

"This Court has experienced that State functionaries often fail to provide instructions to their Counsel within due time, even though the specific date is fixed in the matter. Such a lackadaisical attitude of the State functionaries not only wastes the precious time of this Court but also raises stumbling blocks in the administration of speedy justice and adversely affects the interest of public at large", the Court observed.

Noting that if timely decisions are taken by the State functionaries in such petty matters, it may give a sigh of relief, the Court pointed out that State authorities, however, fail to do so.

The Court thus noted that it has now become imperative that the State is required to lay down contours so as to ensure early disposal of pending matters.

"The present matter is the glaring instance of shirking responsibility as the learned Standing Counsel has not obtained instructions even after due correspondence. In the interest of justice, no adverse order is being passed today. However, it is expected that the competent State authority will introduce required guidelines for disposal of the matters wherein no legal scrutiny by the Courts is required, within shortest possible period of time. It is also needed that necessary instructions be issued to the authorities, to provide instructions to the State Counsel within stipulated time so as to enable them render proper assistance to the Court", the Court observed.

The matter was thus posted on 20 August, 2025 as fresh.

Cause Title: Smt. Sunaina Singh vs. State Of Uttar Pradesh And 4 Others

Appearances:

Petitioner- Advocate Anurag Shukla

Respondent- C.S.C., Advocate Sanjay Kumar Singh

Click here to read/ download Order