BCI Chairman Writes Letter to CJI, Requests to declare National Court Holiday on Jan 22 for Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav

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Bar Council of India Chairman, Manan Kumar Mishra, has written a letter to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, requesting the declaration of a nationwide holiday for all courts on January 22. This appeal is tied to the upcoming consecration ceremony of Lord Ram at the newly constructed Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Scheduled for January 22, the Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav (consecration ceremony) will witness the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various dignitaries. In the letter, Mishra refers to the Supreme Court’s November 9, 2019, judgment, which granted Hindus a clear title to the entire Ram Janmabhoomi. The court affirmed that the Babri Masjid area was indeed the birthplace of Lord Ram.

Highlighting the significance of this event, Mishra argues that declaring a holiday on January 22 would symbolize a “harmonious blend of legal processes with the cultural ethos of the nation.”

In simpler terms, the Bar Council of India is asking the Chief Justice to let courts across the country take a break on January 22. This is because an important ceremony is happening in Ayodhya – the consecration of the idol of Lord Ram in the new Ram Mandir. The Bar Council refers to a past Supreme Court decision that confirmed Hindus’ ownership of the Ram Janmabhoomi. According to them, making January 22 a holiday would demonstrate a good balance between following legal rules and respecting our cultural values.

CJI Chandrachud Warns Against Becoming a ‘Tareekh Pe Tareekh Court’

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Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud has voiced concerns about the rising number of adjournment requests in the Supreme Court. He expressed worry that the court is increasingly becoming a ‘tareekh pe tareekh’ court, a term referring to a court characterized by frequent adjournments. CJI Chandrachud emphasized the significance of expediting cases and the adverse impact of excessive adjournments on the court’s image and public trust.

CJI Chandrachud recognized the efforts of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) in reducing the time between filing cases and listing them for hearings. He acknowledged the improvement in reducing this period.

However, he pointed out that lawyers are frequently seeking adjournments, undermining the objective of faster case resolution. Between September and October, lawyers requested a total of 3,688 adjournments. CJI Chandrachud cited examples of multiple adjournment slips filed for various dates, including 178 adjournment slips for cases scheduled for November 3.

The CJI also noted the contradictory behavior of lawyers, who often request expedited listings for their cases and then seek adjournments when these cases are scheduled. He highlighted the inconsistency between the desire for quick hearings and the subsequent requests for delays.

CJI Chandrachud stressed the court’s moral responsibility in addressing this issue, as it negatively affects the perception of the judiciary among the citizens. Excessive adjournments erode public trust and can harm the court’s credibility.

In summary, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud expressed concerns about the rising number of adjournment requests in the Supreme Court and the consequent delay in case resolutions. While acknowledging improvements in reducing case listing times, he emphasized the importance of addressing the issue of excessive adjournments to maintain public trust and the court’s reputation.