PROVINCE OF PUNJAB through Collector, District Gujrat and others vs MUHAMMAD SABIR and others
This matter concerns a petition for leave to appeal filed by the Province of Punjab against a lower court decision. The core legal question before the Supreme Court was whether leave to appeal should be granted in light of similar pending litigation and the initiation of administrative actions pursuant to prior court orders. The Court, noting that leave to appeal had already been granted in analogous cases, including Civil Appeal No. 155 of 1983 and Civil Petition No. 155 of 1986, decided to grant leave to appeal in the present petition as well. The Court directed that the appeal be prepared on the existing record, with parties permitted to file necessary additional documents within a two-month period. Furthermore, the Court ordered that this matter be consolidated and heard alongside other connected cases to ensure consistency in adjudication. The principle established is that where multiple petitions involve similar legal questions and factual matrices, the Court may grant leave to appeal and consolidate such matters for a collective hearing to facilitate judicial efficiency and consistency.
- Should leave to appeal be granted when similar matters are already pending before the Court?
- Can the Supreme Court direct the consolidation of connected matters for a joint hearing?
ORDER
1. ' MUHAMMAD AFZAL ZULLAH, J.-- The learned counsel has informed us that the action has already been initiated in pursuance of the observations made in the orders, dated 15-5-1988 and 5-6-1988.
2. He stated that the leave to appeal having been granted in similar other cases one appeal, amongst others, is already ripe for hearing. It is Civil Appeal No,155 of 1983. Leave to appeal was also granted in similar case yesterday by this Court in Civil Petition No,155 of 1986.
3. Leave to appeal is also granted in this petition. The appeal shall be prepared on The present record with direction to the parties to file all necessary additional documents within two months. All these and other connected matters shall be heard together.