The Delhi High Court today did not entertain a PIL seeking a direction for allowing use of Hindi language, besides English, in judicial proceedings before it.
The bench, headed by acting Chief Justice B Ahmed, however granted liberty to Prakash-India, a voluntary consumer organisation, which has filed the PIL, to make a representation before the Lt Governor of Delhi in this regard.
During the hearing, the court referred to clause (2) of Article 348 of the Constitution that states "the Governor of a state may, with the previous consent of the President, authorise use of Hindi language or the official language of the state in the proceedings in the High Court of that state."
"The word 'may' is used (in the provision) and hence, it is the discretion of the state. If the provision would have contained word 'shall' then you had the right," the bench, also comprising Justice Vibhu Bakhru, said, adding it was not inclined to hear the matter.
Advocate Vishnu Sharma, appearing for Prakash-India, said the right to equality of Hindi-speaking Delhiites was being infringed as "the people residing in Rajasthan, UP, MP and Bihar already have the right to use Hindi language in their High Courts."
"Delhi is a cosmopolitan city and you have (HC) judges from all over the country, including Bengal and southern states. They might not be knowing Hindi," the court said.
The petition alleged Hindi-knowing persons were also deprived as they neither get the opportunity to practice nor become judges of the High Court.
