Ashamed that appeal from 2010 is pending: Supreme Court while refusing adjournment

The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed its displeasure when an advocate appearing for the State of Rajasthan sought an adjournment in an appeal pending since 2010[Urban Improvement Trust v. Vidhya Devi and Others]..While refusing to grant any adjournment as sought by the State, a Division Bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra said that it was ashamed that the appeal was still pending before the Court."We feel extremely ashamed that 2010 appeal is pending and we are being asked to give adjournment. We cannot give adjournment in this 2010 matter," Justice Pardiwala said.The Bench then proceeded to hear the appeal..The appeal pertained to land acquisition proceedings from the year 1976. In 1981, a specific amount of ₹90,000 was decided to be paid to the respondents as compensation by the State for acquiring their land. In 1997, the State claimed to have paid the said amount in addition to interest. The dispute revolved around this aspect. A single-judge of the Rajasthan High Court ruled in favor of State by upholding the land acquisition proceedings while the Division Bench ruled in favor of present respondents.Aggrieved, the State of Rajasthan approached the apex court in 2010 with the present appeal..During the hearing, when the Supreme Court asked Senior Advocate Archana Pathak Dave appearing for the State about the present status of the land in question, she once again sought time to seek instructions about the same.In response, Justice Pardiwala highlighted the delay in the case and also pointed out that as per the records, former Chief Justice of India RM Lodha had appeared as a counsel in this case before the High Court."Here you see that Justice RM Lodha has appeared as a counsel in this case before High Court. He retired as a CJI of this court and now you are seeking time to get instructions. What is this?" Justice Pardiwala said.Senior Advocate Raju Ramachandran appearing for the respondents then pointed out that one of the cases being relied upon by the State was rendered by Justice RM Lodha's father, Justice SK Lodha when he was a judge of the Rajasthan High Court."The judgment which the State are relying upon is the one by the father of Justice RM Lodha, Justice SK Lodha," the advocate for private-respondents said..The Court then proceeded to hear the matter for about 40 minutes before reserving its verdict. The Court also asked the parties to file any other details or documents in relation to the case within 10 days..[Read Live Coverage]