CA No. 3466 of 2024 [SLP (C) No. 209292 of 2017] AIRIEF Vs. LIC
On 20/02/2024, when our SLPs were taken up by the bench of Hon'ble Justice Suryakant and Hon'ble co-judge, our Sr. Advocate, Shri Nidhesh Gupta, pleaded for early hearing. The Bench considered the submission and after some discussions directed to grant leave and admit the appeal and also fix the date of next hearing on 24/04/2024. This was done to ensure early final disposal of the case. Our cases were listed on 24/4/2024, but could not be taken up because of the judges were engaged in the Constitutional Bench. Our cases were listed on 25/4/2024, 1/5/2024 and 2/5/2024. This gave an impression that the CAs would be heard and decided soon. However, our CAs stopped appearing in the cause lists and even the status at SC website was not showing any date of hearing. Written Mention was submitted followed by the oral mention and on 24/07/2024, the Bench directed to list the case on 11/12/2024. It was a long gap but the anxious super senior pensioners kept waiting patiently.
After taking over the charge by the Chief Justice of India, Hon'ble Sanjiv Khanna, Supreme Court decided to change the system of listing of the cases vide SC order dated 17/11/2024 earmarking Tuesday and Thursday for Miscellaneous Cases and Monday and Friday for the Regular Cases. Now, it is learnt that since, SC's focus is on 'after notice' cases, the CAs are not being taken up for hearing. For last three weeks, regular cases are not listed on any Day. The present scenario has shocked us. Out of 74600 pensioners (50300 Regular and 24300 Family Pensioners), 30,000 are above the age of 70 years, who, irrespective of the cadre, are getting very low pension and facing more financial crisis with increased health issues. They are the persons keenly interested in the court case and despite meagre pension, contributing for the most share of the legal fund. Uncertainty and eternal waiting have created a strong sense of despair among them.
Making 'oral mention' by the senior advocates and also 'written mention' to the CJI have not yielded any results. Under the circumstances, we have requested our senior advocate vide our email dated 5/12/2024 to guide and provide us his brilliant counsel to overcome this impasse.
For the time being we are left with no alternative except to wait.
M P Agnihotri.
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