**Supreme Court Criticizes “Bench Hunting” Practices**
The Supreme Court has issued a strong rebuke against the increasing trend of “bench hunting,” where litigants seek to have subsequent benches revisit and overturn earlier rulings. This practice, the court warns, threatens the finality of judgments as protected under Article 141 of the Constitution.
In a recent session, Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih expressed their concerns about the disturbing pattern of previous verdicts being overturned by new or specially constituted benches, often at the request of parties dissatisfied with earlier decisions. They highlighted that this trend undermines the authority of the Supreme Court and can lead to inconsistencies in legal interpretations.
The justices referenced several notable cases, including the Vanashakti case, the Delhi firecracker ban, the Tamil Nadu Governor case, and the Bhushan Steel Insolvency matter, where prior judgments were revisited. These examples illustrate the potential chaos that could arise from allowing such practices to continue.
The court’s remarks came during the hearing of a bail modification request from a murder accused. Initially granted bail with specific conditions by a bench led by Justice Abhay S Oka, the accused sought to relax these conditions after Justice Oka’s retirement. This prompted the court to criticize the attempt as an effort to manipulate the judicial process.
Justice Datta firmly rejected the plea, stating that overturning a previous ruling does not necessarily equate to delivering justice. He emphasized that any modification to the bail conditions would violate the principle of finality enshrined in Article 141. The court maintained that the stringent conditions imposed were justified based on the facts of the case, and without significant changes in circumstances, there was no reason to alter the original decision.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s stance on “bench hunting” serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of maintaining the integrity and finality of judicial decisions, ensuring that the rule of law is upheld.
**FAQ**
**What is “bench hunting”?**
“Bench hunting” refers to the practice where litigants approach a new bench to reopen and potentially overturn previous court rulings, which can undermine the finality of judicial decisions.
