Srinagar, Feb 17: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Srinagar Bench, on Monday came down heavily on the Jammu and Kashmir Special Tribunal after the original record of a case listed before it was not produced despite clear judicial directions, warning that failure to do so on the next date would amount to criminal contempt.
The matter arose in CM(M) No. 29/2026 with CM No. 366/2026, titled Shaziya Bashir v. M/s S.N. Das Gupta College and Others. Earlier, vide order dated February 6, 2026, Justice Rahul Bharti had directed the Registrar of the Special Tribunal to appear in person along with the complete original record of the connected Tribunal case, M/s S.N. Das Gupta College & Anr. v. Custodian General, J&K & Ors.
When the case was taken up on February 17, however, the Registrar did not appear. Instead, Deputy Registrar Manzoor Ahmad appeared before the Court and informed the Bench that the original record was not available in Srinagar and was lying with the Jammu wing of the Tribunal.
The disclosure drew strong displeasure from the Court. Taking serious note of the submission, Justice Bharti directed the Deputy Registrar to ensure that the original file is procured and produced without delay. The Court made it unequivocally clear that if the record is not received by the next date of hearing, the default would be “reckoned as an interference in the administration of justice amounting to criminal contempt.”
The Bench further ordered that a copy of the order be provided to the Deputy Registrar under the seal and signature of the Bench Secretary for notice and compliance by the Chairperson of the Special Tribunal, indicating that accountability travels up the administrative hierarchy.
Legal observers described the situation as institutionally embarrassing, noting that the case pertains to the Srinagar Bench while the relevant record was stationed in Jammu, raising serious questions about record management, coordination between the Tribunal’s dual seats, and overall administrative propriety.
The matter has now been listed for further hearing on February 19, 2026. All eyes are on whether the Tribunal complies with the High Court’s directions, as failure to do so could invite contempt proceedings and deepen concerns over procedural discipline within the quasi-judicial body.
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