Why Gujarat High Court Cited Pink Floyd in their Judgement?
Introduction
In a remarkable case of mixing pop culture with judicial logic, the Gujarat High Court recently used lyrics from the legendary British rock group Pink Floyd while delivering a verdict. In this rare move, the department’s widespread delay in acting on show-cause notices that were issued a decade ago was emphasized. The mention of the song “Time” by Pink Floyd by the court brought into focus the negative impact of bureaucratic delays on the legal process.
Background of the Case
The case involved Rohan Dyes and Intermediates Limited, a firm which was involved in the production and export of chemicals and dyes. In September 2009, the firm exported “Synthetic Organic Dyes Acid Black-210” through two bills of export from Ahmedabad’s Inland Container Depot, drawing benefits under the Duty Entitlement Pass Book (DEPB) scheme. Suspecting misdeclaration, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) searched the premises of the company, and subsequent show-cause notices in 2010 and 2011 alleged wrongful availing of DEPB benefits and suggested confiscation of goods and recovery of benefits in excess of ₹1.23 crore. Even personal hearings in 2012 did not dispose of the notices, which languished for more than a decade before the company approached the judiciary.
Court’s Quote and Reference to Pink Floyd’s Lyrics
The case was heard by a division bench consisting of Justice Bhargav Karia and Justice D N Ray. In their order dated March 7, 2025, released on March 25, the court started by quoting one line from Pink Floyd’s song “Time” in 1973:
This poetic allusion was used to highlight the excessive delay by the Customs Department in deciding the show-cause notices. The court condemned the authorities for their inordinate delay, observing that such delays erode the canons of justice and efficiency. The bench noted that the notices had been pending for over 15 and 13 years, respectively, and ruled that in light of this prolonged lapse of time, the notices had become non-adjudicable and had to be quashed.
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Legal Implications of the Judgment
The quashing of the pending show-cause notices by the court reflects the judiciary’s distaste for unwarranted delay in administrative and judicial proceedings. Drawing a parallel from Pink Floyd’s lyrics, the court rightly pointed out the implications of bureaucratic stagnation in real life. The ruling reinforces the doctrine that justice delayed is justice denied and reminds governmental agencies of their responsibility to act promptly and effectively.
Broader Context and Significance
The case is not a singular instance but a typical problem in the Indian judicial system involving delay in adjudication. The court’s creative application of popular cultural symbols such as the lyrics from Pink Floyd serves to highlight the all-pervasive nature of procrastination in governmental action. Such allusions render legal decisions more accessible to the common population and emphasize the need for timely decisions within the government setup.
