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2022 Supreme(Online)(MAD) 43631

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 22.12.2022 CORAM THE HON'BLE Mr. JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM C.R.P.No.4213 of 2022 Mrs.Uma Ramanathan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.Mrs.Sulochanammal

2.Mrs.Susila

3.Mrs.Mohana Ammal

4.Lalitha

5.K.Balaji

6.Mrs.Kalpana

7.Mrs.Kanchana

8.Killibabu

9.M.Balaraman All respondents are represented by Power of Attorney Agent, Mr.T.Arun ... Respondents Prayer:- Civil Revision Petition is filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, to pass an order fixing a time frame for speedy disposal of O.S.No.6386 of 2004 (jointly tried with O.S.No.6587 of 2005)

pending on the file of Learned III Assistant City Civil Court, Chennai.

For Petitioner : Mr.K.Thulasi

ORDER

The Civil Revision Petition has been filed for speedy trial of the suit instituted by the revision petitioner in O.S.No.6386 of 2004 along with the connected suit in O.S.No. 6587 of 2005.

2. Perusal of the facts reveal that several Interlocutory Applications are filed by the parties to the Civil Suit and certain frivolous Interlocutory Applications are also filed with a motive to prolong and protract the suit. Such Interlocutory Applications if found to be frivolous or unnecessary, then the Trial Court has to impose exemplary or maximum cost which is to be paid to the other side. Any idea of prolongation of the suit proceedings, at no circumstances be encouraged by the Courts.

3. Unnecessary adjournments on flimsy grounds would cause prejudice to the parties to the litigation. Rule is to conduct the case on the date it is posted for hearing. Adjournment is an exception. Thus adjournments are to be granted only on genuine grounds and even in such circumstances, on commencement of trial long adjournments are to be avoided. The reason is to be recorded by the Courts, if it is genuine.

4. Long pendency of litigations causing untold mental agony to the litigants are to be considered by the Courts concerned, while granting adjournments in a routine manner. Any party seeking adjournment on flimsy grounds or attempting to prolong and protract the case, then heavy cost is to be awarded, which is to be paid to the other party, who is ready to conduct the case. If such adjournments are frequently sought for, then exemplary or maximum costs are to be awarded by the Court concerned. The endeavour of the Court is to ensure that the cases are disposed of as expeditiously as possible by avoiding unnecessary adjournments.

5. The High Court cannot issue directions to the District Judiciary for speedy disposal of cases in a routine manner. Frequent directions if issued, the same cannot be a practical solution. The thrust on the District Judiciary due to overburdening of litigation on Board is to be taken into consideration by the High Court. The routine directions for speedy disposal, if it is issued, it would further cause unnecessary pressure on the District Judiciary. In many such cases, wherein directions are issued, the District Judiciary has come out with administrative letter, seeking extension of time again and again and thus, the purpose for which such directions were issued by the High Court become defeated.

6. The longevity of the litigations are occurring at the instance of the parties on many occasions. The legal brains are adopting tactical approach to prolong and protract the cases for unjust gains and for Forum Shopping. Any party having an idea to achieve their goal in an indirect or illegal manner, then they are adopting all such tactics for the purpose of prolonging the case, which cannot be tolerated by the Courts. On some occasion, if any litigants feel that a particular Judicial Officer in the District Judiciary is inconvenient to them, they are seeking adjournments after adjournments or filing frivolous interlocutory applications through which they all are causing longevity to the litigation. Ill-motives of such litigants if allowed to succeed, then the same will result in miscarriage of justice and thus the Courts are expected to be cautious, while granting unnecessary adjournments on flimsy grounds. All such attempts should be thwarted by the Courts and the Court cannot aid such ill-motive of the parties. The frivolous and unnecessary interlocutory applications are to be dealt with in accordance with law and if the Court formed an opinion that such interlocutory applications are filed with an idea to prolong and protract the issues or filed with ill-motives, then the Court would not hesitate in awarding exemplary or maximum cost on such applications. The cases are to be disposed of in consistent manner to avoid unnecessary allegations and to redress the grievances of the parties approaching the Court of Law.

7. In the pr

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