Karnataka HC issues notice in plea to use of double-side printed A4 Size Paper for court work

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued notice in a PIL filed urging for the use of A4 size paper and double printing of the paper for all purposes in the High court as well as the subordinate courts..Notice has been issued to the Registrar General of the High Court..A Division bench comprising of Chief Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Ashok S Kinagi has issued notice in a petition filed by three law students: Akriti Agarwal, Bhavana M and Lakshya Purohit..In their plea, the petitioners inform that they had earlier approached the Supreme Court of India for implementing the use of A4 Size and double printing of paper..Subsequently, the Supreme Court issued a circular dated March 5, directing the mandatory use of A4 size paper with double printing for all purposes. Subsequently, the High courts of Calcutta, Kerala and Tripura have also implemented the same, states the plea..The plea contends that, ."Because the Supreme Court of India has already implemented the usage of A4 Size Paper and printing on both sides for all purposes. For better uniformity and easy access to justice, it becomes necessary for this Court to mandate the usage of A4 Size Paper similarly in this court and in its all subordinate courts.".The petition further states that Rule 2 of Chapter XII of the High Court of Karnataka Rules, 1959 currently mandates the use of foolscap paper which in common parlance is known as 'Legal Sheet'. The Rule further specifies that the paper should be printed/ written on both sides. .Rule 7(1) of the Karnataka Civil Rules of Practice, 1967 mandates the use of white durable or A4 size sheets for all pleadings and related documents, says the plea..The PIL also avers that A4 sheets are easily available and are being used by all Government departments and the corporate sector. It is only in Courts where Legal size paper is being used exclusively without any logic or reason. The petition also relies on the undeniable fact that "Courts are for people, People are not for Courts.".Apart from being arbitrary, the present practice is also in violation of Article 14 and Article 21 of the Constitution of India, it is added. .While raising concerns regarding the cost of Legal size paper, the PIL also terms this practice a "British colonial practice"..Additionally, the plea contends that the usage of single-side printed legal size paper/Foolscap paper in comparison to double-side printed A4 Size Paper is detrimental to the environment as there would be more wastage of paper, resulting in more cutting of trees. .Therefore, the plea urges to amend Rule 2 of Chapter XII of the High Court of Karnataka Rules, 1959 to mandate the use of A4 size paper, printed on both sides for the purposes of presentation of pleadings and supporting documents in the High Court of Karnataka and in subordinaté courts. .Alternatively, the plea seeks to pass an Administrative Order for the mandatory use of standard A4 size paper and printing on both sides of the pape for all purposes in the High Court and its subordinate courts. .Advocate Paras Jain will appear for the petitioners..The matter will be next heard on November 12..[Read plea here]