cpc Order 17 Rule 1
The rule [Order 17, Rule 1(1) & Rule 1(2)] thus indicates that protraction of trial of the suit should not be encouraged and the court shall try the suit as expeditiously as possible. If the adjournment has occasioned on any sufficient ground, then it may, in an appropriate case, adjourn to a shorter date asking the party seeking adjournment to pay costs incurred by the party who got the witnesses produced and was ready to proceed with trial. …
Bashir Ahmed V/s Mehmood Hussain Shah, (1995) 3 SCC 529
