Justice Lalit said that If kids can visit school at 7am, the Supreme Court can start at 9am

The Supreme Court benches assemble at 10.30am on weekdays to commence business of the day till 4pm with a lunch break for an hour between 1pm and 2pm

If children can visit school at seven within the morning, why cannot judges and lawyers start their day at nine, justice Uday U Lalit remarked on Friday because the Supreme Court judge began hearing cases an hour before the standard time.

Supreme Court benches assemble at 10.30am on weekdays to commence the business of the day. They sit till 4pm, preceded by a lunch break for an hour between 1pm and 2pm.

In a departure from the regular practice, justice Lalit sat at 9.30am on Friday and started hearing cases. His bench also comprised justices S Ravindra Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia.

Appearing during a bail case, former attorney general Mukul Rohatgi lauded the bench for sitting early. “I must say that now of 9.30 could be a more proper time to begin courts.”

To this, justice Lalit replied that he has always held the view that the court should sit early. “Ideally, we must always sit at 9 within the morning. i've got always said that if our youngsters can head to school at 7 within the morning, why can’t we come to court at 9?”

Justice Lalit, who is in line to become the magistrate of India (CJI) in August, suggested the Supreme Court benches should start at 9am and rise at 11.30am for a half-hour break. “Begin at 12 again and finish by 2pm. you'd get time to try and do more things within the evening,” said the judge, speaking about the times when fresh matters and cases that don't usually require lengthy hearings are preoccupied after notices.

Justice Lalit is ready to require over from CJI NV Ramana on August 27 and can be in office till November 8.