Mon Aug 04 18:38:39 UTC 2025: ## Supreme Court Slams “Affluent” Trend of Bypassing Lower Courts in Criminal Cases
**New Delhi:** The Supreme Court has issued a stern rebuke against the growing trend of affluent individuals directly approaching the apex court for relief in criminal cases, bypassing the established judicial hierarchy. In a recent hearing, the court directed former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and his son to seek recourse at the High Court in cases investigated by central agencies.
The court emphasized that the conventional legal process dictates that matters should first be addressed by lower courts and High Courts before reaching the Supreme Court. By allowing direct petitions from individuals with the means to bypass these established procedures, the court argued, it risks creating an uneven playing field and potentially overburdening its already strained resources.
This censure serves as a clear message that wealth and influence should not provide preferential access to the highest court, and that all citizens, regardless of their financial status, must follow the due process of law and exhaust remedies available in lower courts before approaching the Supreme Court. The move is expected to deter similar direct appeals in the future and reinforce the integrity and fairness of the judicial system.
First Piper 