India, May 16 -- The Supreme Court on Friday strongly objected to public statements made by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) blaming the judiciary for delays in hearing its long-pending dispute with the Eknath Shinde faction over disqualification proceedings and control of the party's name and symbol.

Posting the matter for hearing on July 30, a bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and justice Joymalya Bagchi said that such statements were "irresponsible, as the delay was not on account of the court but the refusal by lawyers on both sides to argue the case.

Taking up appeals filed by Thackeray and his party's chief whip, Sunil Prabhu, the bench said, "We will list the matter if you people will stop going to [the] me...