Delhi govt moves SC against HC order on hike in court fee

The city government today approached the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High court verdict striking down its decision to hike court fee ten-fold.
Agreeing to give an urgent hearing to government's plea, a bench headed by Justice G S Singhvi posted the case for hearing on October 28.
In a setback to the city government, the High court had on October 8 struck down the Court Fees (Delhi Amendment) Act, 2012, under which court fees were hiked ten-fold last year, saying "Delhi assembly did not have the legislative competence" to amend the law.
The court had also directed the government to refund the higher amount collected from the litigants since the amendment.

Allowing the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) plea challenging Delhi government's amendment in the Court Fee Act last year, the HC held that the Court Fee Delhi Amendment Act is "ultra vires."
Delhi government had increased the court fees ten-fold to shore up its coffers by around Rs 450 crore annually.