Using Hindi in apex court proceedings not feasible: Bhardwaj

New Delhi, Aug 17 (UNI) The matter of using Hindi in Supreme Court hearings and proceedings has been considered twice in the last 17 years but not found ''practically feasible,'' the Parliament was told today.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Law and Justice Minister Hans Raj Bhardwaj said the Constitution of India-- Article 348(1)-- provides that all proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every High Court be in English until Parliament by law otherwise provides.

Mr Bhardwaj pointed out that Parliament has made no such law in this regard and therefore English continues to be the language for all the proceedings of the Supreme Court.

He said the matter of use of Hindi in the proceedings of the Supreme Court was examined by the Department of Official Language in consultation with the Registry of the Supreme Court.

On a reference made by the Department, the Supreme Court Registrar intimated that the point of introduction of optional use of Hindi in the hearing and proceedings in the apex Court was considered by the full court twice-- on April 10, 1990 and September 26, 1996.

But after ascertaining the views of the Bar Council of India, the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Supreme Court Advocates-on- Records Association, it was unanimously resolved that it was not practically feasible.

Matters in the court are filed from all parts of the country and Hindi is used only in Northern India, the Registrar explained. If introduced, it will cause great difficulties to litigants, judges as well as bar members, particularly those hailing from Southern India.

Under Article 348(2), a State Governor may, with the previous consent of the President, authorise the use of Hindi or any other language used for any official purpose of the state in the proceedings of its High Court, Mr Bhardwaj said.

In Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the use of Hindi has been authorised for the proceedings of the High Courts.

UNI