New Delhi, September 30 (IANS) The Supreme Court has rejected the conduct of a judicial magistrate in South 24 Parganas in West Bengal, who claimed to lose jurisdiction in the pending case after failing to complete the schedule set by the Apex Court.
Justices Pankaj Mithhal and Prasanna B. A bench of Varle mentioned that when the Judicial Magistrate, the 4th court in Alipore, was unable to settle the case within the scheduled timeline, he passed an order on 19 March 2024, stating that he was under jurisdiction.
A bench, led by Justice Mithal, took a strict approach to development and said, “We have pain to note in such a way, in which the order has been passed by the learned judge. If, for any reason, the judge was not able to settle the case within the time set by this court, then he may say that he is to ask for expansion of time.”
The apex court directed the concerned District Judge to take an explanation from the magistrate and submit a report within a month.
SC’s order states, “They have to explain why and under what circumstances, they explained that they have closed the jurisdiction on the matter and no one will move forward.”
The Apex Court Registry has also been directed to forward a copy of the order for necessary action.
Senior advocate Rahul Kaushik, who was present for the petitioners, demanded two weeks to record a response and place to record the cause of the delay.
On January 18, 2024, a diverse application was filed after the first apex court order, directed the judicial magistrate to settle the case within six weeks.
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PDS/DPB