The Supreme Court has expressed shock at the delay in Maharashtra’s criminal trials, with 649 cases still pending for framing of charges, some since 2006. The court called it a “shocking state of affairs” and directed the Bombay High Court Registrar General to ensure timely trial proceedings
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The Supreme Court has expressed shock at the status of criminal trials in Maharashtra. The apex court on Thursday found that hundreds of cases have been pending for the framing of charges for over a decade, some dating back as far as 2006.
The bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, while highlighting the delayed criminal trials, stated that “The Registrar General of the High Court of Judicature at Bombay has filed an affidavit annexing certain documents which we have perused. To say the least, it is a reflection of a very shocking state of affairs, insofar as the conduct of trials before different courts in the state of Maharashtra is concerned,” as cited by news agency IANS.
Furthermore, 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 charges.
The bench further stated that, “The said affidavit reveals that there are at least 649 cases in which charges are yet to be framed, despite the filing of the charge sheets, in certain cases, way back in the years 2006, 2013, 2014 and onwards till the year 2020. The reasons assigned for delay are multiple, including, and most significantly, in almost every trial, either non-production of the accused or non-appearance of the advocate, be it the prosecutor or the defence,” as cited by news agency IANS.
Noting that the petitioner has been languishing in jail for over four years without charges being framed, though the charge sheet in his case was filed in July 2021, the Supreme Court of India said, “The petitioner has been in jail for more than 4 years since April 11, 2021, and today his status remains the same as it was on day one of his incarceration.”
“Charges would have to be framed, the process of trial would take its own time, and by the time a final conclusion is reached, he would have remained behind bars for many years on end,” the bench added.
However, acting on the petition, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Registrar General of the High Court to obtain detailed reports from each District and Sessions Judge. The apex court has now further directed that steps need to be taken to ensure the timely framing of charges and compliance with earlier circulars on the production of undertrial prisoners either physically or virtually, as per the stage of trial.
The matter of delayed criminal trials will now be heard next on October 17, with the Supreme Court seeking a comprehensive compliance affidavit. “The Registrar General shall also apprise the learnt Chief Justice of the High Court of the passing of this order,” the bench added.
(With inputs from IANS)
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