The Bombay High Court has recalled its earlier order which had posted the next hearing in a defamation suit to 2046, 20 years hence, since Justice Jitendra Jain saw an unnecessary burden on the judical systsem fuelled by what was essentially an ego clash. Now, the case will be heard next on July 15 this year.
On April 28, 2026, Justice Jain had remarked that the matter could have been resolved much earlier had the defendant tendered an unconditional apology. The Court noted that it had previously suggested such a course, but the plaintiff, now nearly 90 years old,chose to persist with the litigation.
When the court assembled on Wednesday, the counsel for the petitioner requested Justice Jain to expunge certain adverse remarks made against the petitioner. Accepting the request, the judge ordered the deletion of those observations and listed the matter for July 2026.
The dispute harks to 2017 and involves two women residing in the Shyam Co-operative Housing Society. It arose from an annual general meeting held in 2015, where a resolution was passed to expel them from the society. The women subsequently filed a suit seeking Rs 20 crore in damages, alleging that defamatory communications had caused them mental distress.
In 2018, the Court framed issues and proceeded with the trial after attempts at settlement failed. In March 2025, the matter was adjourned due to the non-appearance of both parties and their legal representatives, with a warning that continued absence could lead to dismissal.
While expressing disapproval of the prolonged litigation, the Court stated that it did not wish to make further observations and initially directed that the matter should not be listed for the next 20 years, effectively pushing it to 2046. It also clarified that the case would not be given priority, even considering the advanced age of the parties, emphasising that such disputes clog the system and divert judicial time from more pressing matters.
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