Enhancing Efficiency and Trust in the Indian Judiciary: CJI Chandrachud's Call Against Repeated Adjournments

04-11-2023

Alexandra Posta

East and South Asia Human Rights Researcher

Global Human Rights Defence

In a recent development, Chief Justice of India (CJI) D. Y. Chandrachud has addressed a pressing concern within the Indian legal system—the frequent adjournments sought by lawyers in fresh matters. On November 3, 2023, the CJI expressed his apprehensions about the Supreme Court transforming into a 'tarikh-pe-tarikh' court due to the escalating number of adjournment requests, emphasizing the need for expeditious proceedings and efficient case management (Pragativadi News Service, 2023).

The statistics presented by CJI Chandrachud shed light on the gravity of the issue. Over the last two months, advocates have filed adjournment slips in a staggering 3,688 matters, posing a significant challenge to the court's efforts to expedite cases (Express News Service, 2023). The CJI acknowledged the substantial reduction in the time gap between filing and listing, attributing this achievement to the collaborative efforts of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) (Pragativadi News Service, 2023). However, he lamented that the positive impact is diminished when, post-listing, lawyers seek adjournments, undermining the court's efficiency and tarnishing its image (HTLS, 2023).

Addressing this issue, CJI Chandrachud urged lawyers not to file adjournment slips unless absolutely necessary. Drawing a parallel with the famous Bollywood dialogue "Tarikh-pe-Tarikh," he emphasized the detrimental impact of repeated adjournments on the court's credibility (Express News Service, 2023). Chandrachud's concern is rooted in the court's pivotal role as both a constitutional court and the final court of appeal, encompassing a wide jurisdiction ranging from intellectual property to criminal cases (HTLS, 2023). He stressed the importance of maintaining citizens' faith in the judiciary, asserting that the court cannot shy away from addressing critical and seminal issues (HTLS, 2023).

In conclusion, Chief Justice D. Y. Chandrachud's call against the escalating trend of repeated adjournments reflects a commitment to uphold the efficiency and trustworthiness of the Indian judiciary. His emphasis on the court's role as the final court of appeal and its responsibility in addressing critical issues underscores the significance of maintaining a balance between expeditious proceedings and thorough deliberation. As the legal fraternity grapples with these challenges, it remains imperative for lawyers to heed the CJI's call and collaborate in fostering a legal system that truly serves the interests of justice and the citizens it represents.

SOURCES

Pragativadi. (3 November 2023). Don’t Want Supreme Court To Become ‘Tarikh-Pe-Tarikh’ Court: CJI Chandrachud On Adjournments Of Cases. Available at https://pragativadi.com/dont-want-supreme-court-to-become-tarikh-pe-tarikh-court-cji-chandrachud-on-adjournments-of-cases/.

Hindustan Times. (4 November 2023). ‘Supreme Court is the final court of appeal’, says CJI DY Chandrachud. Available https://www.hindustantimes.com/htls/supreme-court-is-the-final-court-of-appeal-says-cji-dy-chandrachud-at-htls-101699099953313.html.

The Indian Express. (4 November 2023). No tareekh pe tareekh court: CJI reiterates views against repeated case adjournments. Available at https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cji-chandrachud-dont-want-sc-to-become-tarikh-pe-tarikh-court-9011954/.

Mint. (3 November 2023). Supreme Court cannot become 'tareekh pe tareekh court': CJI DY Chandrachud on over 3,000 adjournment requests. Available at https://www.livemint.com/news/supreme-court-cannot-become-tareekh-pe-tareekh-court-cji-dy-chandrachud-on-over-3-000-adjournment-requests-11699016547493.html.