The High Court of Delhi, presided over by Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, has directed the Registry to seek an explanation from a Trial Court Judge, the concerned Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), and the District Judge regarding the non-pronouncement of an order that has remained pending since April 22, 2026. The Court also sought clarification on remarks recorded in the Trial Court’s order sheets citing staff shortages and a backlog of over 4,500 cases.
The writ petition, filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of India by Pradeep Bansal and others against the State NCT of Delhi and another respondent, seeks the expeditious and time-bound disposal of an application dated April 8, 2024. That application requests the vacation of an interim stay granted on December 1, 2023, in Complaint Case No. 1964/2023, titled Nancy Bansal v. Rajat Bansal & Ors., which is currently pending before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (Mahila Court)-02, North District, Delhi.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioners submitted that arguments on the application for vacating the interim stay were heard on January 6, 2026. However, the matter has remained pending for the pronouncement of the order since April 22, 2026.
Upon issuing notice, which was accepted by the Additional Standing Counsel (Criminal) for the State, Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora perused the Trial Court’s order sheets placed on record, specifically examining the entries starting from July 22, 2025—when the concerned Judge began presiding over the court—up to the present date. Observing the delay, the Court stated, “This Court is unable to discern from the order sheet, the reason for the non-pronouncement of the order.”
Consequently, the High Court directed the Registry to call for a report from the concerned presiding Judge, the concerned CJM, and the District Judge addressing the averments made in the petition regarding the delay in pronouncing the order.
Additionally, the High Court took note of specific administrative remarks recorded in the Trial Court’s proceedings. Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora ordered that the CJM and the District Judge must also explain in their report the context of the remark: “This Court is working with only one stenographer and having pendency of more than 4500 cases”, which appears on the Trial Court’s order sheet alongside similar remarks in subsequent orders of the concerned Judge.
The Registry has been instructed to send a copy of the order via Special Messenger to the concerned District Judge, CJM, and presiding Judge, ensuring that their reports are submitted two days prior to the next date of hearing. The matter has been listed next on December 3, 2026, in the supplementary list.
Case Details:
Case Title: Pradeep Bansal & Ors. v. State NCT of Delhi and Anr.
Case No.: W.P.(CRL) 3516/2026 & CRL.M.A. 35231/2026
Bench: Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora
Date: November 6, 2026
