Nanag Ram Sharma v. State of Rajasthan
Background
Nanag Ram Sharma wanted to make submissions in a High Court case in which he was not a formal party. The impugned High Court order had, in effect, required him to be added as a party before he could be heard. The State of Rajasthan told the Supreme Court it had no objection to him being heard without being made a party.
Decision Breakdown
The Court recorded the State's position and modified the High Court's order so that the petitioner may appear and make his submissions without being impleaded as a party. The appeal was allowed to that extent, with no other directions. The judgment is short and does not lay down any wider rule on when non-parties may be heard.
Lesson Learnt
A person who is not formally a party to a court case can sometimes be allowed to make submissions without being added as a party, particularly where no one objects. Permission to be heard does not by itself make someone a party to the case.