Home / Crime and Justice / Justice Delayed: SC Scolds Rajasthan HC Over 23-Year Case Stagnation
Justice Delayed: SC Scolds Rajasthan HC Over 23-Year Case Stagnation
9 Jan
Summary
- Supreme Court noted a 23-year delay in a criminal revision petition.
- Trial proceedings were stayed for over two decades, halting a dowry death case.
- SC seeks records and report on judicial delays from Rajasthan High Court.
The Supreme Court has intervened due to a staggering 23-year delay in a criminal revision petition, which had kept trial proceedings stayed in a significant dowry death case. The apex court expressed grave concern that a petition filed in 2003, challenging the framing of charges, remained pending for over two decades, effectively halting a trial involving serious offenses.
The Supreme Court has called for the complete record and order sheets from the Rajasthan High Court regarding this delay. The court is investigating the steps taken by the state government over the past 20 years to ensure the listing and disposal of the revision petition, despite an existing stay on proceedings. A detailed report from the High Court's registrar general has been ordered.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court has directed the registrar generals of all high courts to gather and submit data on cases involving severe offenses where trial proceedings have been stayed for extended periods. This includes crimes like murder, rape, and dowry death, highlighting a systemic concern about judicial delays in serious criminal matters.
