PRAYAGRAJ, May 2 -- The Allahabad high court has observed that the role of litigants in contributing to judicial delays is often overlooked. Calling it a "menace" that is "neither spoken of nor condemned", the court opined that this tendency must be "firmly discouraged".

Justice JJ Munir termed it "surprising" that despite widespread protests over delays in the judicial system, litigants often appear in court only to seek adjournments that suit their convenience.

"It is surprising that despite such widespread protest against delays in courts, citizens of the country, in whatever position they are, when they appear in court as litigants, love to seek time and enjoy adjournments that suit their cause. The contribution of the litigating pu...