Gujarat High Court Asks Govt Pleader To Issue Directions For Drafting 'Proper' Affidavits, Providing 'Para-Wise' Reply To Pleas

The Gujarat High Court directed the state to provide para-wise replies to writ petitions following deficiencies in affidavits. The court noted that affidavits filed by state officers often lacked detailed responses to the contents of writ petitions. The court emphasized the importance of drafting proper affidavits that not only state facts but also provide a narrative with para-wise replies to the petitions. The court instructed the Government Pleader to issue necessary directions to all Assistant Government Pleaders to draft proper affidavits in accordance with the settled law of pleadings. The court’s order came in a matter concerning land acquisition for the Metro Rail Project, where the affidavit submitted by the Special Land Acquisition Officer failed to address the petitioner’s contention regarding the denial of a personal hearing opportunity. The court granted the state two weeks to rectify the mistake and file a para-wise reply.