look news india
In the Indian justice system, a very shocking and eye-opening case of the saying ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’ has come before the country’s biggest court i.e. the Supreme Court. A long period of 45 years is very important in the life of any person, but imagine that a person has to put the important years of his life at stake for the whole 45 years to get justice amidst court cases and legal maneuvers. The Supreme Court has recently adopted a very tough stance while hearing a similar criminal case, where the case was stuck for more than four decades due to the long legal process from the lower court to the High Court. Expressing deep displeasure over this situation, the Supreme Court has not only suspended the sentence of that elderly criminal, but has also raised serious questions on the working style of the concerned High Court. A new debate has now started everywhere on the cases being pending for decades in the country’s justice system and the slowness of the courts.
What is the whole matter and how the 45 year long legal battle started
The roots of this entire incident are linked to a decades-old criminal dispute, which started about 45 years ago. At that time when the case was registered, the judicial system of the country and the system of paper records was quite different and slow as compared to today. Over time, due to changes in trial dates, witness statements, cross-examination and court changes, the case remained buried under the burden of files. After the decision of the lower court, when the case reached the High Court, there too the hearing took years due to appeals and pendency. During this long period, many witnesses related to the case have either passed away or the accused facing trial has now become an old man. Due to hanging the legal sword for so long, the entire life and mental balance of the accused has been badly affected, which has left many serious marks on the functioning of the judiciary.
Supreme Court’s strong comment: Expressed deep concern over the slowness of the High Court
When this matter reached the Supreme Court of the country through appeal, the judges there expressed deep surprise and concern after seeing the files. The Supreme Court said in clear words that taking 45 years for appeal or trial in any criminal case is a matter of great concern and shame for the Indian justice system. The court specifically raised questions on the functioning of the High Court and said that if the appeal in a case remains pending for decades and a decision is not taken on time, then it is a direct violation of the fundamental rights of the citizens and the right to get speedy justice. The Supreme Court also remarked that when there is such an inordinate delay in providing justice, both the basic purpose of punishment and the fear of it become meaningless, because by then the accused has reached that stage of his age where his life has completely changed, both physically and mentally.
The sentence of an elderly criminal was suspended, he got relief after getting bail.
Keeping in mind the seriousness of the case, the extreme age of the accused and the long and punishing mental journey of 45 years, the Supreme Court has given a big and humane verdict. Ignoring the sentence given by the lower court and the stand of the High Court on it, the court has completely suspended the sentence of the elderly convict. Along with this, he has also been given the benefit of bail on the basis of appropriate conditions. Legal experts believe that this decision of the Supreme Court may have come on the basis of a special situation and excessive delay, but it is a clear message to all the High Courts and lower courts of the country to speed up the disposal of pending cases so that no common citizen has to wait for half a century for justice.
A big lesson and need for reform for the Indian justice system
This entire episode is a living example of how the shortage of judges in the lower and upper courts of India, huge case load and old traditional working style affects the life of the common man. Lawmakers and policy makers of the country have long been saying that unless modern technologies of Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital records and time-bound hearing are fully implemented in the judiciary, it will be difficult to curb such cases. After this latest and strong comment of the Supreme Court, now once again the voice has become louder that to improve the justice system of the country, Fast Track Justice policy should be promoted on priority basis, so that no citizen has to spend 45 years of his life just to prove that he is innocent or he wants justice.