'Failure of judicial system': SC on 45-year-old case

Inordinate Delays in Judicial Process

The case of a 45-year-old double murder case has been pending for over two decades, with the trial court taking 22 years to complete the trial and the High Court taking another 22 years to decide the appeal. The Supreme Court has now suspended the sentence of the convict due to the inordinate delay.

Impact on the Convict

The convict, who is now in his 70s and bedridden, has been fighting a legal battle in the Supreme Court from jail. His legal representative has argued that the delay has caused grave prejudice and irreparable loss to the convict, especially considering his medical condition.

Reasons for Delays

The court noted that the delay in the trial was caused by the accused absconding for six years. However, the court was concerned with the pendency of criminal appeals and thought it fit to permit the petitioner to implead the Centre in the matter.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court's decision underscores the need for reforms in the Indian judicial system to address the issue of long-standing cases and ensure fair and timely justice for all parties involved.