Concerned that the Apex Court’s reputation has been tarnished by the Advocates’ regular practice of requesting adjournments, Supreme Court Judge Justice D.Y. Chandrachud stated on Friday that the institution seeks to change its status as a “tareek par tareek” court. “The Supreme Court’s reputation as the “tareekh pe tareekh” court is something we wish to change.” said Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.
Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Hima Kohli were on the bench on Friday, and when an attorney informed them that he had sent out a letter asking for an adjournment, Justice Chandrachud adamantly refused to stand over the case till another day.
He questioned the attorney if they should present their case right away or wait, prepare, and then present it. He emphasised that-
Since this is the highest court in the land, arguments will be necessary. However, the institution must maintain some respect. The Judge has objected to adjournments in the past as well. He was recently worried after learning that a letter for adjournment had been issued. He felt that although the judges stay up late reading case files, the Counsels are conveniently abdicating their duties to the Court by requesting adjournments.
“Not like this, please. We read 61 things in one sitting; the final batch reached me last night. (Today) I got up at 3:30 in the morning to finish reading the files. If you would want, we can skip it.”
Another time, the petitioner’s counsel asked for a matter to be postponed because the Senior Advocate handling the case was backed up in another court. Justice Chandrachud responded:
“For us right now, you are the Senior. You now have the afternoon’s designation. If you don’t object, we will proceed with the ruling since we have pledged allegiance to the Constitution.”
Justice Chandrachud had said, “The only feature on which the lawyers of both sides agree is adjournment,” as the respondent’s attorney joined in to say that he had not objected to the adjournment.
