Hyderabad: The high court on Thursday asked the state if there is any mechanism in place to prevent delays in filing petitions or appeals in the high court challenging any orders. Voicing concerns over a delay of over two years in an appeal filed by the prohibition and excise department challenging a June 2023 order, a division bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin noted that the court was condoning delays in a routine manner if there was a delay of 100 days or so.“But if this is the amount of delay, 500 and odd days, when does the matter attain finality? We can’t condone it in a routine way,” CJ Singh remarked, while emphasising the need for accountability and a structured mechanism to prevent such occurrences in the future.The court suggested that departments should adopt a practice similar to that in Tripura, where detailed records of file movements between departments were maintained.“While the delays are mostly due to some officers for various reasons, including manpower shortage and many other regular duties, it should not burden the counsels facing the courts,” the court opined. The court has adjourned the matter for two weeks, allowing the prohibition and excise department time for a detailed affidavit explaining the delay.Acknowledging the issue, advocate general A Sudarshan Reddy attributed the delays to bureaucratic challenges and, at times, deliberate actions. “There is also the issue of red tape in the departments sometimes, causing these delays,” he informed the court.In response, the AG assured the court that steps were being taken to address these issues. “To ensure that this is implemented, a circular from the chief secretary has to be issued, mandating all departments to provide detailed affidavits explaining any delays in filing appeals. We will ensure that it is done,” the AG informed.
