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HC directs Centre to fix NCDRC calendar, rejects argument vacations create backlog

On April 17, Justice Sachin Datta rejected the Centre's stand that prescribing for vacations in June/December would be detrimental as it would lead “to backlog of cases

Delhi high courtThe notion that courts have excessive vacations is a “common myth”, it added. (Representational Image/Express File Photo)

Upholding the autonomy of National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC), including in deciding its own calendar of vacations, the Delhi HC has directed the Centre to consider a representation for fixing the calendar in consultation with its president, while taking into account the views and interest of all the stakeholders, including the Bar Association.

On April 17, Justice Sachin Datta rejected the Centre’s stand that prescribing for vacations in June/December would be detrimental as it would lead “to backlog of cases, hinder consumers access to justice and negatively impact all the stakeholders”. The HC termed the argument “wholly unjustified” and said it was “completely erroneous” to suggest that vacations undermine the object of speedy redressal of consumer disputes.

The notion that courts have excessive vacations is a “common myth”, it added.

Justice Datta directed the Centre to consider a communication by the NCDRC president on September 25, 2023, following a representation by the NCDRC’s Bar association on August 29, 2023, for fixing the calendar for commission in consultation with its president and considering the views and interest of all stakeholders, including that of the Bar association.

The HC clarified the NCDRC president has “autonomy for the purpose of determining the judicial calendar of NCDRC/scheduling sittings of the Commission, as may be expedient,” and that it is open for the NCDRC president “to prescribe certain days in June/December, during which the Benches shall not be sitting/convening.”

All India Bar Association of NCDRC in its petition sought restoration of summer and winter vacations in the NCDRC calendar, and that its calendar be drawn up on par with those of other commissions, tribunals and courts. It had submitted that NCDRC was observing summer and winter vacations until 2020 but was discontinued 2021 onwards on account of the pandemic.

Sohini Ghosh is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express. Previously based in Ahmedabad covering Gujarat, she recently moved to the New Delhi bureau, where she primarily covers legal developments at the Delhi High Court Professional Profile Background: An alumna of the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), she previously worked with ET NOW before joining The Indian Express. Core Beats: Her reporting is currently centered on the Delhi High Court, with a focus on high-profile constitutional disputes, disputes over intellectual property, criminal and civil cases, issues of human rights and regulatory law (especially in the areas of technology and healthcare). Earlier Specialty: In Gujarat, she was known for her rigorous coverage in the beats of crime, law and policy, and social justice issues, including the 2002 riot cases, 2008 serial bomb blast case, 2016 flogging of Dalits in Una, among others. She has extensively covered health in the state, including being part of the team that revealed the segregation of wards at the state’s largest government hospital on lines of faith in April 2020. With Ahmedabad being a UNESCO heritage city, she has widely covered urban development and heritage issues, including the redevelopment of the Sabarmati Ashram Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting from the Delhi High Court covers major political, constitutional, corporate, and public-interest legal battles: High-Profile Case Coverage She has extensively covered the various legal battles - including for compensation under the aegis of North East Delhi Riots Claims Commission - pertaining to the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, as well as 1984 anti-Sikh riots. She has also led coverage at the intersection of technology and governance, and its impact on the citizenry, from, and beyond courtrooms — such as the government’s stakeholder consultations for framing AI-Deepfake policy. Signature Style Sohini is recognized for her sustained reporting from courtrooms and beyond. She specialises in breaking down dense legal arguments to make legalese accessible for readers. Her transition from Gujarat to Delhi has seen her expand her coverage on regulatory, corporate and intellectual property law, while maintaining a strong commitment to human rights and lacuna in the criminal justice system. X (Twitter): @thanda_ghosh ... Read More

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