In a significant directive issued on Friday, the Supreme Court called for an explanation from its Registry regarding the unexpected and premature listing of a bail application related to a money laundering case, [Zeeshan Haider v. Enforcement Directorate]. This case, initially scheduled for a hearing on October 14, was abruptly moved up in the schedule without apparent authorization.
The development raised eyebrows within the highest judicial echelons, prompting a Division Bench comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Pankaj Mithal to express their dissatisfaction openly. The justices voiced concerns over possible manipulations within the listing process, suggesting that external influences might be at play.
“We are not going to tolerate this at all,” the bench stated emphatically. “Somebody is going to our Registry and manipulates the listing contrary to a previous order.”
This stern rebuke from the bench underscores the gravity of the issue, reflecting the judiciary’s resolve to maintain integrity and transparency in its procedural operations. The Court has asked a detailed report from the Registry to shed light on how such a significant procedural deviation could have occurred.
