New Delhi:
On Day 1 of his tenure, Justice RM Lodha, the new Chief Justice of India, showed that he was committed to a speedy trial of cases when he made it clear to the advocates that he won't grant adjournments on frivolous grounds.
"The habit of seeking adjournments at the drop of a hat should go. Don't waste time of the Court," Justice Lodha told lawyers in an open Court.
The Chief Justice informed the Court that out of the 60 cases listed today, there were 10 cases in which advocates had written letters seeking adjournments. "Hereafter, anyone seeking adjournments should first write to the Registrar and not come directly to the Court and waste its time," he said.
Justice Lodha, who was yesterday sworn in as the Chief Justice of India by President Pranab Mukherjee, had indicated after taking over that his priority would be to facilitate the appointment of best persons as judges. He spoke in favour of expanding the collegium for selecting judges, but said he was opposed to granting a fixed tenure for the Chief Justice.
Justice Lodha will remain the Chief Justice of India for a short tenure of around five months. He will retire on September 27.