The Supreme Court has recently expressed at the possibility of relaxing conditions for appointing ad hoc judges (temporary judges) in High Courts. This measure aims to address the growing backlog of criminal appeals and expedite case resolution.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India on Thursday (23rd Jan) expressed its dissatisfaction when a lawyer requested an adjournment in a criminal case. The Bench, comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra, highlighted the prolonged incarceration of the lawyer’s client, emphasizing the need for prompt justice.
Justice Narasimha addressed the lawyer, saying, “Aren’t you seeing how we are deciding the criminal cases? Is it not a good day for you to argue? Your clients are behind bar for so long and you are taking adjournment. Is that a good thing?”
Despite this, the lawyer persisted, stating that the case needed to be argued by his senior. Ultimately, the Court agreed to defer the hearing and scheduled it for another date.
The issue of adjournments in criminal cases is a long-standing concern in India. Delays in court proceedings often draw criticism, as they prolong the judicial process and exacerbate the plight of undertrial prisoners. While courts sometimes grant adjournments based on lawyers’ requests, such delays can hinder the timely delivery of justice. In some cases, lawyers may seek adjournments at the direction of their clients, further complicating matters.
The Supreme Court has recently expressed at the possibility of relaxing conditions for appointing ad hoc judges (temporary judges) in High Courts. This measure aims to address the growing backlog of criminal appeals and expedite case resolution.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE
