Taking strong exception to the State's conduct, a bench of Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Manjive Shukla termed the government's approach “highly disrespectful” to an earlier order passed by a co-ordinate bench (headed by Chief Justice Arun Bhansali).

The Court is essentially hearing a 2025 Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea filed by one Shams Tabrez, seeking direction to the respondents to take effective action to appoint the Chairman and Members of the Commission.

During the hearing on July 6, the State Counsel informed that there are "oral instructions" that the process of nominating the Chairman and Members of the UP Commission for Minorities is still ongoing.

Taking strong exception to the fact that, to date, no written instructions had been provided by the state, the Bench observed thus:

"This is highly disrespectful of the order passed by the Co-ordinate Bench on 24.04.2026. Till date no written instructions have been provided what to say of nomination of Chairman and Members. This is inspite of the strong observations made in the aforesaid order".

The Court was referring to an order passed by the coordinate bench (in April this year) wherein the state's lethargy in filling vacancies had been noted. In that order, the Chief Justice's bench had remarked thus:

"The apparent inaction on part of the respondents despite the fact that the tenure of the previous Commission had come to an end in the year 2024, is writ large".

Noting that, despite being granted time in April to provide appropriate instructions regarding the present status of the proceedings, the State failed to give any written instructions in the Court, the Bench has now summoned the Additional Chief Secretary, Minorities Welfare Department.

The official has been directed to appear before the Court on July 20, 2026, to submit a formal explanation as to why the nominations have not yet been made and why no written instructions were provided to the State Counsel.

The bench added that if there is no Additional Chief Secretary, then the Principal Secretary shall appear.

The matter has been listed as fresh next on July 20.

Advocate Shamsher Yadav Jagrana appeared for the petitioner