In a candid expression of concern, the Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, addressed a pressing issue plaguing the Indian judiciary system—unnecessary adjournments. During a session on November 3, 2023, CJI Chandrachud made a poignant remark that resonated with the sentiment of the nation’s desire for swift justice.
“I don’t want this court to be a ‘tareekh-pe-tareekh’ court,”
he declared, invoking a phrase that has come to symbolize the chronic delays in the legal process.
The term ‘tareekh pe tareekh’, etched into the public consciousness by the 1993 Bollywood film ‘Damini’, has become synonymous with the exasperation felt by those seeking timely justice. CJI Chandrachud’s reference to this phrase was not merely rhetorical; it was a reflection of the stark reality depicted by the statistics he presented. With 178 adjournment slips filed on a single day and an average of 154 adjournments per miscellaneous day from September 1 to November 3, the Chief Justice highlighted a troubling trend.
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“There are 178 adjournment slips today. On an average per miscellaneous day from 1st September- 3rd September, 154 adjournments are circulated. 3688 adjournments in 2 months. This defeats the purpose of filing and listing,”
he stated, emphasizing the inefficiency and the defeat of the purpose behind the urgent listing of cases.
The Chief Justice pointed out the paradoxical situation where on one hand, lawyers request urgent listing of cases, and on the other, the same cases are adjourned when they come up for hearing.
“On the one hand matters are listed on an expedited basis, on the other hand, they’re mentioned, then they get listed and then they’re adjourned. I request the members of the bar to not seek adjournments unless really really necessary. This cannot become a tareek pe tareek court. This defeats the trust of citizens in our court,”
CJI Chandrachud remarked, stressing the impact such practices have on the public’s trust in the judiciary.
The Chief Justice also shed light on the procedural differences between the Supreme Court and High Courts regarding adjournments. In the Supreme Court, lawyers can seek adjournments by simply circulating a letter, whereas, in High Courts, a request must be made in person before the judge, with the decision to grant the adjournment resting in the judge’s discretion.
The Chief Justice’s comments are a clarion call for the legal fraternity to minimize adjournments and to uphold the sanctity of the court’s time and the public’s trust in the judicial system. His use of the culturally significant term ‘tareekh pe tareekh’ not only underscores the urgency of the matter but also serves as a powerful reminder of the judiciary’s role in the timely delivery of justice.
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