Former SC Judge Challenges Rajasthan HC Order Over Tribunal Fees

A former Supreme Court judge has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging a Rajasthan High Court directive that characterized a tribunal under his leadership as lethargic. The legal dispute centers on a conflict involving the Rajasthan Discoms and a total claim of approximately ₹528 crore, with the High Court also intervening to reduce the fees associated with the tribunal's operations.

The Rajasthan High Court had scrutinized the tribunal's productivity, labeling its pace as unsatisfactory while simultaneously issuing orders to curtail the compensation structure. The petitioner contends that these observations and subsequent fee reductions infringe upon the autonomy of the tribunal and lack the necessary judicial basis regarding the complexities of the underlying commercial dispute.

This case highlights ongoing tensions between administrative oversight by High Courts and the functional independence of quasi-judicial bodies. The Supreme Court's impending review will clarify the permissible limits of High Court interventions in tribunal management, particularly concerning fee structures and productivity assessments in high-stakes litigation involving public sector power distribution companies.