Chandigarh Administration Demands End to Needless Litigation, Urges Departments to Act Responsibly

In a landmark move aimed at streamlining governance and curbing wasteful expenditure, the Chandigarh Administration has issued a resolute directive to all its departments: put an immediate stop to unwarranted and repeated litigation. This isn't just a suggestion; it's a clear mandate to foster a more responsible and efficient legal approach within governmental bodies.

For too long, public funds have been inadvertently channeled into prolonged legal battles, often without sufficient justification.

The Administration has observed a troubling pattern where departments continue to pursue appeals even after lower courts have ruled decisively against them. This practice not only escalates legal costs significantly but also contributes to the daunting backlog in higher courts, delaying justice for genuine cases and draining invaluable judicial resources.

The core of this new directive is a commitment to judicious decision-making.

Departments are now strictly instructed to avoid filing appeals against judgments passed by lower courts or tribunals unless there are compelling, legally sound grounds to do so. This implies a rigorous internal review process, demanding that every proposed appeal be thoroughly scrutinized and supported by robust legal opinion, clearly outlining the merits and potential for success.

Officials are being reminded that the ultimate goal is not merely to "win" every case, but to uphold justice, ensure administrative efficiency, and protect public money.

Continuing litigation that is clearly bound to fail, or that has already been extensively litigated and decided upon, is now deemed an unacceptable practice. The Administration emphasizes the importance of accepting and implementing judgments where the legal position has been firmly established, rather than pursuing endless appeals that serve no constructive purpose.

This decisive action by the Chandigarh Administration is a testament to its dedication to effective governance.

By demanding greater accountability and prudence from its departments in legal matters, it seeks to significantly reduce the burden on the judiciary, free up resources that can be better utilized for public welfare projects, and ultimately, restore public confidence in the administrative and judicial processes.

It’s a call for a paradigm shift, moving from reflexive litigation to thoughtful and responsible legal engagement.