What is the point sitting in court from 10.30 am if lawyers seek adjournment, passover in all matters: Justice AM Khanwilkar

Supreme Court judge Justice AM Khanwilkar on Thursday took strong exception to lawyers seeking frequent adjournment and passover of cases. .He was miffed by the fact that such requests were made in almost all cases listed before the bench headed by him on Thursday and he asked the Bar to introspect. "We have been sitting here since 10.30 am and we have done nothing. Then what is the use of being here? In every matter, there is such a request. Bar has to realise this now," he remarked. .We have been sitting here since 10.30 am and we have done nothing. Then what is the use of being here?Justice AM Khanwilkar .The Court also flagged the problem to Supreme Court Bar Association President Vikas Singh."How long should we just keep continuing adjusting ourselves. Since morning it is happening," Justice Khanwilkar told Singh."There should be a system actually that another counsel argues if one is not available," Singh suggested..The remarks were made while hearing a case relating to blacklisting of foreign Tablighi Jamaat members and if foreigners can challenge visa denial.At least 34 foreign nationals who attended the religious congregation organized by Tablighi Jamaat at Nizamuddin in New Delhi had moved the Supreme Court challenging cancellation of their visas and seeking permission to return to their home countries.The petition was filed after the Central government in April 2020 blacklisted more than 900 foreign nationals who had attended the religious event held in March.The government had resorted to the measure after it came to light that several people who attended the event were found to be infected with Coronavirus. Their visas were also cancelled by the government.At least 16,500 people had visited Tablighi Jamaat’s headquarters in Nizamuddin between March 13 and 24, 2020..When the matter was taken up on Thursday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Central government sought time till Tuesday next week to file a response. "My brothers are not agreeable to this," said Justice Khanwilkar. "This case is important as there is ramifications for the country. e seek to find a solution so that neither country is harmed and nor the people visiting are harmed. Please grant me the time," Mehta requested. The Court then acceded to the request."Okay we will hear this case on Tuesday," the bench said. .On April 19, another Supreme Court judge Justice MR Shah had highlighted the same issue, stating that one of the reasons for the huge backlog of cases in the Supreme Court is frequent adjournments sought by lawyers."One of the reasons for pendency is letter for adjournments. Everyday 5 to 6 matters in criminal matters adjournments letters are given, where personal difficulty is cited," Justice Shah had said..Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.