How To Check Authenticity Of Orders/Judgments?: Delhi HC Explains After It Notices A Forged Bail Order
The Delhi High Court explained the process to check the authenticity of the Court’s orders or judgments after it noticed a forged bail order.
The mother of the accused had approached the Court seeking information on her daughter's bail order, allegedly purported to have been passed by the Delhi High Court. However, upon investigation, the Court found no records of such an application ever being filed or reserved.
The Court issued directions to the general public to “exercise caution and diligence, if they deem appropriate in connection with any order or judgment of this Court handed over to them.”
The Court remarked that litigants could verify the authenticity of orders or the High Court by “click of a button or due caution.”
A Single Bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed, “It is a very serious matter of prima facie forgery and fabrication of order of Delhi High Court which requires investigation, as it is not only about alleged forgery of a bail order, which itself is a serious offence and a matter of grave concern, but together with it is another crucial accompanying issue that the forged/fabricated order had been allegedly handed over to an undertrial prisoner by a jail visiting advocate, who has been appointed to assist and help the undertrials.”
Upon further checking the records, it was found that no bail application was ever filed before the Court and the alleged date of the hearing was mentioned as a Saturday, which was a holiday.
The Court directed the Registrar General of the Court to lodge a complaint for the same and appointed an Amicus Curiae to assist the accused.
Consequently, the Court passed an order to inform all stakeholders and the public at large about the process to check the authenticity of the Court’s orders or judgments.
For orders downloaded from the Delhi High Court's website:
- Look for an emblem of the Delhi High Court and a QR code at the top of the order.
- Check for a timestamp at the bottom of the order indicating when it was downloaded from the court's website.
For judgments downloaded from the Delhi High Court's website:
- Verify the presence of a QR code on the judgment that can be scanned for verification.
- Look for a digital signature visible on every page of the judgment.
For Dasti orders:
- Ensure that the order contains a specific line directing it to be provided as "Dasti."
- Check if the copy of the order is stamped and signed by the concerned officers of the Registry.
Accordingly, the High Court listed the matter for April 15, 2024.
Cause Title: Court On Its Own Motion v. State
