SC ‘shocked’ by decade-long delay in criminal trials in Maharashtra

New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) The Supreme Court has expressed surprise over the state of criminal trials in Maharashtra, finding that hundreds of cases are pending for over a decade for framing of charges – some of which date back to 2006.

Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice N. Taking note of the affidavit filed by the Registrar General, the bench comprising Kotiswar Singh said, “The Registrar General of the High Court at Bombay has filed an affidavit enclosing certain documents, which we have seen. To say the least, it is a reflection of a very shocking state of affairs so far as the conduct of trials before various Courts in the State of Maharashtra is concerned.” Bombay High Court.

A bench of Justice Kant said that despite the filing of charge sheets, trials in at least 649 cases across Maharashtra have not proceeded beyond the stage of framing of charges.

“The said affidavit reveals that in the years 2006, 2013, 2014 and thereafter till the year 2020, in some cases, despite the filing of charge sheets, there are at least 649 cases in which charges have not been framed yet. Various reasons have been cited for the delay, the most important of which is that in almost every trial, either non-production of the accused or non-appearance of counsel, whether Be it the prosecutor or the defense,” Saw.

Noting that the petitioner has been in jail for more than four years without framing of charges, although the charge sheet in his case was filed in July 2021, the top court said: “The petitioner has been in jail for more than 4 years since 11.04.2021, and even today his condition is the same as it was on the first day of his imprisonment. Charges have to be framed, the trial process will take its own time, and by the time a final conclusion is reached, he would have been in jail for many years.” of bars Stayed behind.”

The Supreme Court has directed the Registrar General of the High Court to obtain detailed reports from each District and Sessions Judge regarding steps taken to ensure timely framing of charges as per the stage of trial and compliance with earlier circulars on production of undertrial prisoners physically or virtually.

The next hearing of the case will now be held on October 17, in which the Supreme Court will seek a comprehensive compliance affidavit. “The Registrar General will also inform the learned Chief Justice of the High Court about the passing of this order,” it said.

–IANS

PDS/DPB