Imposition of heavy costs on state instrumentalities for rank procrastination

To deter administrative agencies from abusing court processes, intentionally wasting judicial time, and subjecting citizens to protracted litigation, constitutional courts possess the inherent authority to impose exemplary financial costs. When government departments act with rank procrastination, fail to file counter-affidavits despite explicit court directions, and force litigants to endure decades of avoidable courtroom struggles, heavy costs serve as a necessary punitive and corrective measure. Such costs are quantified to compensate the aggrieved party for the harassment faced and to signal strong judicial disapproval of executive apathy and vindictiveness. State instrumentalities must understand that procrastination and bad-faith litigation strategies carry direct financial and institutional accountability. (Captain Pramod Kumar Bajaj v. Union of India and Anr. | 2026 INSC 101)