J&K govt directs departments to ensure timely replies in court cases

Srinagar, Oct 22: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has directed all administrative departments and concerned authorities to ensure timely filing of replies, affidavits and compliance reports in pending court cases, particularly contempt petitions, warning that delays and failures could invite accountability for the officers concerned.
The directions have been issued by the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, with the stated objective of ensuring effective representation of the government before courts and tribunals and timely compliance with judicial directions.
All administrative departments, heads of departments and other concerned authorities have been directed to provide complete records, relevant documents and specific factual inputs to the concerned Law Officer and Officer In-charge Litigation sufficiently in advance to facilitate the timely preparation and filing of replies and affidavits.
In cases involving implementation of judicial directions, the latest compliance status, supported by documentary evidence, must be furnished to the concerned Law Officer and Officer In-charge Litigation well before the date fixed for hearing.
The government has also directed the Officer In-charge Litigation to maintain close coordination with the concerned administrative department and the Law Officer to ensure that replies, affidavits and compliance reports are filed before the respective courts and tribunals within the prescribed time.
Warning against delays, the government has stated that any failure to furnish the requisite records, instructions or compliance reports resulting in non-filing of replies or affidavits, or leading to adverse judicial orders, will be viewed seriously. Responsibility will be fixed upon the officers concerned in accordance with the applicable rules.
The instructions have been circulated to the Advocate General, Jammu and Kashmir; all Administrative Secretaries; the Registrar of the Central Administrative Tribunal, Jammu/Srinagar Bench; the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/Kashmir; government counsel; Deputy Commissioners; Superintendents of Police; and the Director of Litigation, among other authorities. [KNT]