The Supreme Court of India has issued a firm reminder to all courts across the country, cautioning them against issuing “surprise” directions that extend beyond the reliefs sought by the parties involved in a case. The bench, comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and K.V. Viswanathan, made this observation while ruling in P. Radhakrishnan & Anr. vs. Cochin Devaswom Board & Ors., asserting that courts must act strictly within the framework of the pleadings presented before them.

The Court underscored that litigants approach the judiciary seeking resolution within defined boundaries, and when courts go beyond these boundaries without prior notice, it erodes trust in the judicial process. Such actions, the bench warned, can have a chilling effect on access to justice, making individuals hesitant to approach the courts for fear of unintended consequences.

In this particular case, the Supreme Court was reviewing an order passed by the Kerala High Court concerning the revision of licence fees in Thrissur. The High Court had not only addressed the fee issue but also directed the Cochin Devaswom Board to re-fix licence rates and initiate a vigilance inquiry into land allotments to a Trust—directions that were not part of the original writ petition. The apex court found these instructions to be unjustified, holding that they were issued without giving the affected party a fair opportunity to respond.

The bench further noted that while there may be rare circumstances where a court could act beyond the specific pleadings, such intervention must follow due process. The affected parties must always be given notice and a chance to present their case before any additional directives are issued.

Consequently, the Supreme Court set aside the portions of the High Court’s order that called for re-fixation of fees and a vigilance probe. However, it clarified that the Devaswom Board remains free to proceed independently in accordance with the law if it deems further action necessary.

This judgment serves as a pointed reminder of the judicial discipline that underpins procedural fairness—ensuring that every litigant has the right to be heard and that justice is not only done, but seen to be done within the confines of the pleadings placed before the court.

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