CJI requested lawyers to not to take too many adjournments

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) presented compelling data revealing a substantial number of adjournment requests, underscoring the inefficiency of this practice. CJI Chandrachud made a fervent plea to legal practitioners, urging them to request adjournments only when absolutely essential, underscoring the vital importance of preventing the court from being mired in prolonged delays.

In the current scenario, there have been a staggering 178 adjournment requests today, with an average of 154 adjournments per miscellaneous day from September 1st to September 3rd, totaling a significant 3,688 adjournment requests in just two months. This alarming trend directly contradicts the very purpose of filing and listing cases.

In stark contrast, the CJI pointed out that there have been 2,361 cases urgently listed in the court since September 2023, averaging 59 cases mentioned daily. This situation has led to an intriguing paradox where cases are swiftly listed initially but then subsequently adjourned.

Furthermore, CJI Chandrachud emphasized a distinction between the Supreme Court and High Courts in terms of adjournment procedures. In the Supreme Court, lawyers can request adjournments by circulating a letter, whereas in High Courts, adjournment requests must be made directly before the presiding judge during the hearing, and the decision to grant such requests rests at the judge’s discretion.