The Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up a lawyer who sought adjournment in a criminal case..The Bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra reminded the lawyer that his client has been behind bars for so long. "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," Justice Narasimha asked..The lawyer insisted saying that the matter has to be argued by his senior.The Court eventually relented and posted the matter for hearing on another date..Adjournments by courts in criminal cases is a contentious issue in India with the judiciary often facing the flak for the same.However, many of these adjournments are granted on request by lawyers who might at times be instructed by their clients to do so.Recently, the top court had indicated that it was contemplating relaxation of conditions for appointment of ad hoc judges (temporary judges) to High Courts in order to tackle the mounting pendency of criminal appeals.
