Suggestions are welcome: Allahabad HC dismisses PIL filed for rational use of paper in courts

The Allahabad High Court recently dismissed the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed seeking permission for use of A4 size paper for all Judicial and Administrative purposes in courts all over the state of Uttar Pradesh.

The bench of Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice J.J. Munir said that the issue raised through the PIL was already engaging attention of the High Court on the administrative side. "Hence, we do not wish to keep the present petition pending," the bench held. 

However, while dismissing the plea, court stressed that in case the petitioner has any suggestions, he will be welcomed to submit the same.

The PIL was filed in the year 2020 by four Lawyers through Advocate Shashwat Anand. Apart from the use of A4 size paper in the courts of the state, the plea had also sought direction for printing on both sides of the paper.

During the pendency of the PIL, in the year 2021, in an administrative decision, the Registrant General of the High Court notified the Allahabad High Court (Amendment) Rules,2021 which allowed the usage of A4 size paper for the functioning of the courts. However, the high court did not take any decision on printing on both sides of the papers. 

In a similar manner, in October last year, the Delhi High Court also permitted the use of A4 size paper with double-sided printing/typing for all types of pleadings contained in petitions, affidavits, applications, or other documents, as well as all memorandum of appeals, orders, and judgments in the High Court and all District Courts of Delhi.

The directions were issued through the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court and the same came into force on November 1, 2022.

Case Title: Saumitra Anand and others v. High Court of Judicature at Allahabad and others