Uditvani: The Supreme Court has taken strong exception to inordinate delays in the delivery of verdicts by the Jharkhand High Court, noting that judgments remain pending in 67 criminal appeals even after final hearings were concluded and orders reserved.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh described the situation as “disturbing” and signaled that binding guidelines to curb such delays may soon be introduced.
In a significant move, the apex court ordered all high courts to furnish reports within four weeks, listing every case where judgment was reserved on or before January 31, 2025, but not yet pronounced.
The concern was raised while hearing a plea by four life-term convicts, represented by advocate Fauzia Shakil, who argued that the Jharkhand High Court had reserved judgment in their appeal since 2022, thereby blocking their chance to seek remission.
According to a report submitted by the Registrar General of the Jharkhand High Court, verdicts in 56 criminal appeals heard by division benches from January 2022 to December 2024 remain pending. An additional 11 cases heard by single judges are also awaiting rulings.
The Supreme Court underlined the adverse impact of such judicial inertia, stressing that prolonged delays not only hinder timely justice but also infringe on the rights of convicted and undertrial prisoners.
The bench reaffirmed that such practices cannot be tolerated in a system founded on fairness and accountability.
Further action is anticipated once high courts across the country file their respective compliance reports.
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