SC criticises govt for bringing trivial issues to courts

New Delhi, Feb 14 (PTI) The Supreme Court todaycriticised the governemnt for resorting to prolongedlitigation on "trivial" issues, saying it was not only awastage of time of the judiciary but also a "collosal" loss tothe public exchequer.

"How much public money is spent on litigations by thegovernment and its agencies? It is a matter of grave concern,"a bench comprising Justices G S Singhvi and A k Ganguly said.

The court said the government prefers to fight a caseupto the Supreme Court in matters which could be resolved atthe secretariat.

"Several trivial matters which are required to besettled at the secretariat travel to the courts," the benchsaid adding "it is a collosal loss to the public exchequer."

The Bench gave the example of noted cardiac surgeon PVenugopal who had to fight a lengthy legal battle in the DelhiHigh Court and later on in the Supreme Court against thedecision of the government for removing him as a Director ofAIIMS a few years back.

"We have the best example of Venugopal who had to spendhis time in the corridors of courts instead of conductingoperations and heart surgery," the court said.

"We are fed up with these matters," the court said addingthe issues of casual labours and small matters were reachingcourts.

The remarks by the Bench came during the hearing of thepetition filed by a doctor against Delhi government.