The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday disposed of a criminal writ petition filed by Gyan Prakash Agarwal, declining to issue directions for listing and clubbing multiple long-pending matters before the Allahabad High Court. Instead, the top court advised the petitioner to follow the procedure prescribed under the High Court’s rules by approaching its Chief Justice.
Background of the Case
The petition, registered as Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 522 of 2025, was filed seeking urgent intervention by the Supreme Court. The petitioner requested directions for early listing and joint hearing of several criminal proceedings pending before the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad.
These included a Criminal Miscellaneous Writ Petition of 2020 and multiple applications filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Section 482 allows High Courts to exercise inherent powers to prevent abuse of process or to secure the ends of justice.
According to the plea, these matters had been pending for years, and the petitioner sought their consolidation and expeditious disposal on merits.
Proceedings Before the Court
The matter came up for admission hearing on January 7, 2026, before a Bench comprising Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice Atul S. Chandurkar. The Bench heard submissions made by counsel appearing for the petitioner.
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After hearing the arguments, the judges focused on whether the Supreme Court should directly intervene in the administrative functioning of the High Court, particularly in matters relating to listing and roster management.
Court’s Observations
The Bench made it clear that the relief sought by the petitioner pertained to internal listing procedures of the High Court. Such matters, the court indicated, fall within the administrative domain of the High Court itself.
“The petitioner, for the above purpose, may approach Hon’ble the Chief Justice of the High Court in accordance with the rules of the High Court,” the Bench observed, underlining that the established procedure must be followed.
The judges further noted that once such an application is moved before the Chief Justice, it is expected that the request would be considered while keeping in mind the roster system and the pendency of older cases.
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Decision of the Court
Declining to issue any specific directions for listing or clubbing of cases, the Supreme Court disposed of the writ petition. The court left it open to the petitioner to seek appropriate relief before the Chief Justice of the High Court, as per the applicable rules.
With these observations, the proceedings before the Supreme Court came to an end.
Case Title: Gyan Prakash Agarwal v. State of Uttar Pradesh & Anr.
Case No.: Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 522 of 2025
Decision Date: January 7, 2026
