A Delhi woman, exhausted by the constant demands of attending court, has successfully withdrawn her criminal case, with the High Court acknowledging her “litigation fatigue.” The decision sheds light on a common reason behind many case withdrawals—tired litigants opting out to avoid further stress and embarrassment
The Delhi High Court has permitted a complainant to withdraw a criminal case, attributing the decision to “litigation fatigue.” The complainant reportedly grew weary of repeatedly taking time off work to attend court hearings, prompting her to seek the withdrawal of the case.
Justice Anup Bhambhani, who presided over the matter, noted that litigation fatigue is a frequent reason for case withdrawals, occurring in a majority of cases. He also suggested that the complainant’s desire to avoid potential embarrassment during cross-examination may have influenced her decision.
The Court agreed to allow the withdrawal but imposed a condition that the petitioner, who was seeking the settlement, pay costs of ₹10,000. Despite arguments from the petitioner’s counsel that no costs should be imposed due to the case being a legal aid matter, the Court remained firm. Justice Bhambhani clarified that the payment of costs was mandatory, and failure to do so would result in the continuation of the case.
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