“Blissfully ignorant”: Delhi High Court pulls up advocate for seeking adjournment in 2014 case

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday took serious exception to advocates seeking adjournment on the date of hearing. 

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna observed,

“It is the litigant who suffers. It does not impact me. Litigant does not know what is happening in the court. Litigant has the impression that the courts are not working, only matters get adjourned…Blissfully ignorant…Blissfully,” the Court remarked. 

The Court also stated that advocates are not doing anything on their part to dispel this impression in the mind of the litigants. 

“You all are not doing anything to dispel this. As an officer of the court, you have some responsibility. I don't know when you would all learn not to take adjournment,” the Court stated. 

The Court was hearing a 2014 service matter against Oriental Insurance Company. The petitioner’s counsel sought an adjournment on the ground that he had recently received the brief. 

The Court observed in its order that there appears to be no rush or hurry in the mind of the litigant or his lawyer and posted the matter for hearing in August.

“This is a petition of 2014 pertaining to service matter. There appears to be no rush or hurry in the mind of the litigant or the counsel. Be listed for arguments on August 10,” the Court recorded in the order.

In yet another matter, the Court warned an advocate for seeking adjournment without circulating an adjournment slip.

On the other hand, one advocate sought adjournment saying,

“I beg to appear My Lord.”

To this, Justice Krishna asked him to not use the word “beg” while addressing the court.

"Stop saying beg, who are you begging? You have the right to appear.”