Official Language of HC

Subject: Polity

Context:

Recently Governor of Haryana sent his recommendation to the President of India for his consent to authorize use of Hindi language in proceedings before the Punjab & Haryana High Court.

Concept:

• The constitutional provisions dealing with the language of the courts are as follows:
• Until Parliament provides otherwise, the following are to be in the English language only in all proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every high court.( Article 348 (1))
• However, the governor of a state, with the previous consent of the president, can authorise the use of Hindi or any other official language of the state, in the proceedings in the high court of the state, but not with respect to the judgements, decrees and orders passed by it. In other words, the judgements, decrees and orders of the high court must continue to be in English only (until Parliament otherwise provides). ( Article 348 (2))