The Supreme Court on Friday said the time hascome to take the initiative to fix time limits for hearing cases as "verylimited time" is available and arguments are being sought by lawyers inthe same case.
The Supreme Court said that when Justice MNVenkatachaliah was the Chief Justice of India (in 1993-1994), it was suggestedthat there would be a time frame for hearing of matters.
A bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar and CTRavikumar on Friday said, "We need to now think about it. Seriously thinkabout it. That thinking has been going on since long but we have notimplemented it. Mr Singhvi (senior advocate AM Singhvi) may recall that duringChief Justice Venkatachaliah, it was suggested that we will have time frame forhearing."
"Please take initiative. This is time,high time now," the bench said to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who wasappearing for the Centre, adding, "There is very limited time spaceavailable and many counsels want to argue the same point in one matter. This iswhat is happening. That is the experience now."
Mr Mehta said, "Your lordships can takeinitiative. We can only support". Mehta requested the bench whether thematter could be taken up for hearing on November 29 as he would have to attendthe Constitution Day celebrations being organized by the Supreme Court BarAssociation during the day and there was little in the matter. It may take along time.
The bench posted the Centre's pleachallenging the October 29 order of the High Court for hearing on November29. On November 15, the Center had told the apex court that the high courthad passed a disturbing order setting aside the order of the main bench of theCentral Administrative Tribunal (CAT).