The Delhi High Court has issued a significant administrative order regarding the pronouncement of judgments by judicial officers who are under transfer. In a move aimed at ensuring the timely disposal of matters where orders have been reserved, the High Court has directed that judicial officers must pronounce such judgments even after their transfer.
The High Court of Delhi, under the direction of the Hon’ble Chief Justice, has mandated that judicial officers under transfer must notify the cases in which they have reserved judgments or orders before relinquishing the charge of their court. The order explicitly states that such officers are required to pronounce the reserved judgments or orders on the date fixed or within a maximum period of 2 to 3 weeks thereof, “notwithstanding the posting/transfer.”
Detailed Directions
The administrative order, bearing No. 48/D-2/Gaz.IA/DHC/2025 and dated November 26, 2025, was issued by the Registrar General, Mr. Arun Bhardwaj. It serves as a continuation of the previous Order No. 47/D-2/Gaz.IA/DHC/2025 dated November 18, 2025.
The key operational part of the order states:
“The judicial officers under transfer shall notify the cases in which they had reserved judgements/orders before relinquishing the charge of the court in terms of the posting/transfer order. The judicial officers shall pronounce judgements/orders in all such matters on the date fixed or maximum within a period of 2-3 weeks thereof, notwithstanding the posting/transfer.”
Procedural Requirements for Pronouncement
To ensure transparency and information for litigants and lawyers, the High Court has laid down specific notification requirements. The order clarifies that the date of pronouncement must be notified in the cause list of the court to which the matter originally pertains. Additionally, it must also be displayed in the cause list of the court to which the judicial officer has been transferred, as well as on the official website.
The order has been forwarded to all Principal District & Sessions Judges in Delhi, along with key administrative and government bodies, including the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, the Principal Secretary (Law, Justice & Legislative Affairs), and the Commissioner of Police, ensuring wide dissemination and compliance across the legal and administrative machinery of the capital.
This direction is expected to prevent delays in cases where arguments have been concluded and judgments reserved, ensuring that the transfer of a presiding officer does not necessitate a rehearing or prolonged wait for the final verdict.
