The Supreme Court on June 17, 2026 took serious note of an allegation that an urgent matter filed over ten days ago had not been listed due to a lapse by its Registry, with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant warning that accountability would be fixed if the allegation was found to be true.
A Bench comprising the Chief Justice of India and Justice V. Mohana was informed by an advocate that an urgent case filed on June 8, 2026 had not been listed as certain papers had allegedly been misplaced by the Registry.
“If our registry is misplacing urgent files, then do you think I will leave it at that? I will have to take it up and see who is to blame,” CJI Kant said.
The Court directed that a formal complaint be immediately submitted by the Advocate-on-Record either at the Chief Justice’s chamber or at his residence on the same day. “Please ask the Advocate on Record to submit the complaint to me either in my chamber now or at my residence. But give it today itself. I will take it up,” the Chief Justice added.
Pattern of Concerns Over Registry Functioning
The latest remarks are part of a series of instances in recent months in which the Court has expressed concern over the functioning of its Registry.
In May 2026, a Bench led by the Chief Justice came down heavily on the Registry for failing to issue notice to the Director of the Enforcement Directorate despite a clear judicial direction. Terming the lapse “very nasty,” the Court had ordered a fact-finding inquiry by the Registrar (Judicial) to ascertain how its earlier order had been interpreted.
In February 2026, the Chief Justice had flagged irregularities after a petition that had been dismissed by a three-judge Bench resurfaced before another Bench, calling the development “shocking.” The Court had indicated that a deeper administrative probe into Registry processes would be undertaken, including fixing the responsibility of officials involved.
Other Benches of the Court have also raised similar concerns over connected matters being listed before different Benches and procedural inconsistencies in case handling. The Court has in such instances consistently stressed the need to streamline administrative processes and ensure accountability within the Registry.
Case Details
- Court: Supreme Court of India
- Bench: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana
- Date of Hearing: June 17, 2026
- Nature of Matter: Allegation that urgent case papers filed on June 8, 2026 were misplaced by the Supreme Court Registry, resulting in non-listing of the matter
- Outcome: CJI directed Advocate-on-Record to submit a formal written complaint to the Chief Justice’s chamber or residence on the same day; accountability inquiry indicated
