Delhi HC seeks registry's view on using Hindi in district courts

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked for a response from its registry on a petition that sought acceptance of petitions drafted in Hindi in all district courts in the national capital.

The public interest petition filed by city-based lawyer Umesh Sharma contended that despite the Delhi High Court rules mandating for use of Hindi language in the functioning of the district courts, litigants were asked to file their petitions only in English.

He said anyone filing a petition in Hindi is discouraged and asked to file its English translation too.

"Hindi is the official language of the government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and hence members of the public who approach the courts should be permitted to express themselves in their main state language, i.e. Hindi, and English should not be forced upon them," the petition said.

"It is not fair to ask Hindi-speaking witnesses to forcibly depose in English when he is not comfortable in deposing in English at all."

"Neither is it correct for the courts to translate the deposition of a Hindi-speaking witness into English and then get it signed by him later to make it appear that the witness has himself deposed in English," the petition added.

Sharma, who is said to be associated with the Bharatiya Bhasha Abhiyan, contended that even illiterates who approach courts are "being forced to adopt and speak in English, which is alien to them and which they neither can speak nor understand".

"It is illegal to pass orders, daily order sheets, judgments and directions in English when the High Court rules mandate Hindi as the language of the courts," the petition claimed.

"Article 351 of the Constitution directs for the development of Hindi language. It is the duty of the Union of India to promote the spread of Hindi language," the petition said.

--IANS

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