'Nothing But Red-Tapism': Gujarat High Court Slams Its Registry Over Delay In Installing CCTV Cameras In Registry & HC Campus

The Gujarat High Court criticized its Registry officials for inordinate delay in implementing its earlier directions for installation of CCTV cameras in "every corner of the Registry" as well as "important places" in the high court campus, remarking that the same can be equated to "red tapism" to delay action.

For context the high court had in December 2023 directed its Registrar to expedite the installation of cameras strategically in every corner of the Registry, after an incident involving a practising advocate who had allegedly tampered with court records and engaged in professional misconduct.

When the matter was listed on Monday (August 18) the court perused an August 8 report submitted by Registrar General, and expressed its "surprise" on noting that though its December 2023 order was supposed to be implemented by January 2024, the events narrated in the report indicated that the process was initiated but was delayed and thus incomplete. 

Justice Sandeep N. Bhatt in his order remarked that the court had passed the earlier directions to ensure that the high court's functioning is transparent and in case some wrongs are alleged in the process, the same can be traced out with the help of CCTV footage. 

It said, "therefore this Court had passed the order to install CCTV cameras in every corner of the Registry by covering every table as well as the important places in the corridors of the High Court as well as other important places of the High Court campus. It seems that this attempt is misunderstood as renegade by the concerned persons".

"This Court is reiterating that such direction in that order was required to be given for the larger interest of this august institution and considering the CCTV as desideratum and with a hope that the Registrar and concerned higher officials will consider the same as a bellwether for the other Courts, but unfortunately, it seems that the said order is considered as `a storm in a tea cup' and viewed by predilection and therefore, though the Registry has initially made attempts to place such order before the concerned Committees for the purpose of implementation in true sense and the Purchase Committee as well as the IT Committee of this Court has also approved, thereafter, it seems that the concerned Registrar (IT) at the relevant point of time has tried to place this matter under the carpet by misleading the concerned persons,” the court added. 

The court remarked that otherwise, this much time taken for the completion of the process is "unacceptable", adding this process can be equated with the process of departments of government institutions wherein the Courts have observed that "it is nothing but red tapism".

The high court further clarified that 'red-tape' refers to "excessive or unnecessary" bureaucratic rules, regulations and formalities that "hinder or delay action", decision-making, or implementation processed.

"It is characterized by rigid adherence to formal procedures, often involving complex paperwork, multiple approvals and lengthy processes, even when those procedures add little or no value," it said. 

The Court further noted that while both the Gujarat High Court and Apex Court have been insisting for implantation of CCTV in all important institutions like Police Stations, highways, important roads, offices of government institutions, the delay in complying with High Court's order for CCTV installation is "prima facie" unbelievable.

Expressing its "helplessness" at the situation the court remarked that Registrars and the Registry of the court are considered to be 'Omnia paratus' (prepared for all things). It however said:

"Unfortunately, in the present case, for the reasons best known to the concerned Registrar, more particularly, Registrar (IT), the process is delayed and yet not completed. Even from the report, it transpires that it is still at the stage of finalization of specifications of the necessary cameras and for tendering for the procurement of the same. This Court expects that the order of this Court will be complied with in its true letter and spirit by the concerned persons in the Registry as expeditiously as possible.”

Considering the relevance of the observations, the Court listed the matter on August 26.

Case Title: Babubhai Sampatbhai Pateliya & Ors. vs State of Gujarat & Ors

Case Number: Civil Application (For Direction) No. 10 of 2024 In Special Civil Application No. 23158 of 2019

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