Supreme Court Rebukes Slow Trial: 'Even a Snail Would Question the Speed'
The Supreme Court of India has made a sharp observation on the pace of a commercial suit pending in the Delhi High Court, remarking that 'even a snail would question the speed at which the trial is proceeding'. The comment came as the Court dismissed a petition by Levitate Mobile Technologies Pvt Ltd (LMT) to introduce additional documents in its case against Standard Chartered Bank.
The suit was originally filed in 2015, and as of 2026, the plaintiff's evidence is still ongoing. The bench noted the stark contrast between this sluggish pace and the intent of commercial legislation designed to expedite business litigation in India. The Court observed that all the documents LMT sought to introduce had been in its possession since the beginning, and the grounds for the application were similar to those raised in a previous, already-allowed request.
Providing context, the Supreme Court said the suit was initiated on May 27, 2015, and was re-registered as a commercial suit under the Commercial Courts Act on January 30, 2018—the same day LMT's first application to place additional documents on record was allowed. On November 18, 2023, the company filed a subsequent application with the same plea, which was rejected on February 12, 2025, for failing to provide any reasonable cause or justifiable explanation.
The Supreme Court's observation highlights ongoing concerns about delays in India's judicial system, even in cases meant to be fast-tracked under commercial law. The bench did not mince words, using the snail metaphor to underscore the frustration with the pace of justice.
