When Delays Come at a Cost: The Allahabad High Court's Sharp Rebuke to the UP Government

Well, sometimes, a court simply has to put its foot down, doesn't it? And that's precisely what happened recently at the Allahabad High Court, which, frankly, looks to have grown rather weary of the Uttar Pradesh government's—how shall we say?—"lackadaisical" approach to legal proceedings. The bench, led by the discerning Justice Saral Srivastava, imposed a rather significant cost of Rs 75,000 on the state government. Quite a sum, you might think, but the reasons, once you dig into them, become rather clear.

The crux of the matter revolves around a petition filed by Mother Teresa Academy in Lucknow. They were, it seems, challenging the government's decision to withhold a no-objection certificate (NOC), a vital document for establishing their private school. Now, in cases like these, the government's side of the story is crucial; it comes, as it should, in the form of a counter-affidavit. But here's where the wheels, or rather, the legal paperwork, began to grind agonizingly slow.

Repeatedly, the court had extended deadlines, offering the government ample opportunities to present its defense, to file that crucial counter-affidavit. But each time, it seems, those opportunities were, well, squandered. You see, this wasn't an isolated incident; it was a pattern. The court had even, on a prior occasion, imposed a lesser fine—a Rs 10,000 cost, if memory serves—perhaps hoping that a gentle nudge, a small financial sting, would spur action. But alas, that earlier penalty, one could argue, seemed to have been brushed aside, too.

Justice Srivastava, in his judgment, didn't mince words. He specifically pointed out this "lackadaisical approach" and, honestly, the court’s frustration feels palpable. It's not just about the money; it’s about the principle. It’s about ensuring that the machinery of justice, for all its complexities, keeps moving. Delays, especially those caused by a respondent's repeated failure to cooperate, don't just inconvenience the petitioner; they clog the entire judicial system, wasting precious court time and resources.

So, this Rs 75,000 fine? It's more than just a penalty. It’s a firm statement, a stark reminder that even governments, for all their vast resources and perceived bureaucratic inertia, are not above the rules of court. And perhaps, just perhaps, it will serve as a much-needed jolt, encouraging a swifter, more respectful engagement with the legal process moving forward. Because, in truth, everyone deserves their day in court, without unnecessary, self-inflicted delays.