1. We have received an undated letter from Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India requesting us to reconsider the directions issued by us in Paras 25 and 26 respectively of our order dated 04th August, 2025 passed in Special Leave Petition (Crl.) No. 11445 of 2025.
2. In such circumstances, referred to above, we directed the Registry to re-notify the main matter for the purpose of considering the request made by Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India. Accordingly, the matter has been renotified today.
3. By our order dated 4th August, 2025, we set aside the impugned judgment of the High Court of Allahabad and remanded the matter to the High Court for fresh consideration in accordance with law. While partly allowing SLP (Crl.) No. 11445 of 2025, we observed the following:-
“27. We have been constrained to issue directions as contained in Paras 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 respectively, referred to above, keeping in mind that the impugned order is not the only erroneous order of the concerned Judge that we have looked into for the first time. Many such erroneous orders have been looked into by us over a period of time.”
4. At the outset, we must clarify that our intention was not to cause embarrassment or cast aspersions on the concerned Judge. We would not even think of doing so. However, when matters cross the threshold and the dignity of the institution is imperiled, it becomes the constitutional responsibility of this Court to intervene, even when acting under its appellate jurisdiction under Article 136 of the Constitution. The directions in paras 25 and 26 respectively were issued keeping in mind the observation in Para 27. At the cost of repetition, we reproduce para 27 as under:-
“27. We have been constrained to issue directions as contained in Paras 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 respectively, referred to above, keeping in mind that the impugned order is not the only erroneous order of the concerned Judge that we have looked into for the first time. Many such erroneous orders have been looked into by us over a period of time.”
5. Similarly, whenever we come across legally unimpeachable orders and orders that have ensured complete justice to the litigants, we have always taken the opportunity to record our appreciation for the Judges of the High Courts. The High Courts are not separate islands that can be disassociated from this Institution and we reiterate that whatever was said in our order was to ensure that the dignity and authority of the judiciary as a whole is maintained high in the minds of the people of this country, as that will go a long way in reinforcing the faith that is reposed in us.
6. It is not just a matter of error or mistake committed by the Judge concerned in appreciating the legal points or facts. We were concerned about the appropriate direction to be issued in the interest of justice and with a view to protecting the honour and dignity of the institution. The litigants in this country approach different courts of law to seek justice. For 90% of the litigants in this country, the High Court is the final court of justice. Only the remaining 10% can afford to approach the Supreme Court. The litigants who come to court expect the justice delivery system to function in accordance with law, not to obtain absurd or irrational orders.
13. With the aforesaid, we dispose of the Special Leave Petition.
14. The Registry is directed to forward one copy of this order at the earliest to Hon’ble the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court.
M/s. Shikhar Chemicals Petitioner(s) versus The State Of Uttar Pradesh & Anr. Respondent(s) – Petition for Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No.11445/2025 – 2025 INSC 945 – 8TH AUGUST, 2025 – Hon’ble Mr Justice J.B. PARDIWALA J and Hon’ble Mr Justice R. MAHADEVAN.
