‘Judicial anarchy’: Punjab and Haryana High Court slams accountant for ‘forum shopping’ tactic in Rs 11 lakh fraud case

Punjab and Haryana High Court news: ThePunjab and HaryanaHigh Court has dismissed a second plea foranticipatory bailfiled by an accountant accused of financial misappropriation, characterising the repetitive filing as a “stratagem of attrition” and “forum shopping.”
While hearing a plea of the accused, JusticeSumeet Goelsaid that a litigant who approaches the court for the same relief, without any material change in circumstances, engages in a stratagem of attrition that is less a pursuit of justice and more an exercise of testing the waters.

“Such a practice constitutes a classic case of forum shopping, wherein the litigant treats the halls of justice as a laboratory for speculative litigation,” thecourtsaid on March 13.

The order added that this hit-and-try methodology is a malady that must be detested by this court, as it strikes at the very root of judicial propriety.

“To permit a litigant to treat the dismissal of a prior petition as a mere interlocutory suggestion, rather than an authoritative pronouncement, is to invite judicial anarchy,” thehigh courtsaid.

Jagriti Rai works with The Indian Express, where she writes from the vital intersection of law, gender, and society.

Working on a dedicated legal desk, she focuses on translating complex legal frameworks into relatable narratives, exploring how the judiciary and legislative shifts empower and shape the consciousness of citizens in their daily lives.

Socio-Legal Specialization: Jagriti brings a critical, human-centric perspective to modern social debates.

Her work focuses on how legal developments impact gender rights, marginalized communities, and individual liberties.

Diverse Editorial Background: With over 4 years of experience in digital and mainstream media, she has developed a versatile reporting style.

Her previous tenures at high-traffic platforms like The Lallantop and Dainik Bhaskar provided her with deep insights into the information needs of a diverse Indian audience.

Academic Foundations:
Post-Graduate in Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), India’s premier media training institute.

Master of Arts in Ancient History from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), providing her with the historical and cultural context necessary to analyze long-standing social structures and legal evolutions....

Read More