The Supreme Court Today (July 24) raised strong concern over 288 pending gangster trials in Delhi, with years of delay in starting evidence. It called for special fast-track courts and strict timelines to stop criminals from misusing the legal process.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India on Thursday raised serious concerns over the long delay in 288 pending criminal trials involving alleged gangsters in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.
The top court said there is a big gap between the time charges are framed and when evidence starts being recorded, which is slowing down justice badly.
A Bench led by Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi was hearing the bail plea of a man labeled a “hardened criminal” by the court, who has 55 previous cases registered against him. He is facing serious charges under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Arms Act, and had requested bail.
Referring to a new affidavit filed in court, Justice Surya Kant noted that-
“There are 288 pending cases in the NCT of Delhi, and that in 180 of those cases, charges are yet to be framed.”
Out of all these cases, only 25% have moved forward to the stage where prosecution evidence has even started.
The Supreme Court was troubled by this huge delay and officially recorded,
“It is candidly acknowledged that there is a gap of 3–4 years between framing of charges and commencement of evidence examination.”
Justice Kant emphasized that the number of pending trials was so high that it needed urgent structural changes in the legal system. He said,
“While the High Court will never have any objection to provide speedy trial by designating special courts, this can only happen if Union and Delhi government resolve to introduce a mechanism like fast track courts for trial of such cases.”
He recommended creating more judge positions or forming a special temporary team (ad hoc cadre) of judges just to handle such serious criminal matters quickly.
He also said the government must make sure that proper courtrooms, infrastructure, and staff support are made available to these courts.
The judges stressed that these gangster-related cases must be handled without delay, with consistent and uninterrupted hearings to deliver justice quickly.
Justice Kant said-
“It goes without saying that keeping 288 trials pending against gangsters etc, there has to be appropriate strength of courts so that cases can be distributed and trials can be heard on day to day basis.”
He also suggested that detailed rules should be set to improve efficiency — such as fair payment to lawyers, avoiding unnecessary adjournments, and setting fixed deadlines for framing charges and filing charge sheets.
Justice Bagchi pointed out that such delays were often misused by the accused.
He said:
“Each and every trial is delayed to win over witness and get acquitted. That is the game plan.”
Justice Kant also highlighted the worsening law and order problem even in areas surrounding Delhi.
He remarked-
“In the NCR, just go out of geographical belt of Delhi and see what is happening in Faridabad, Gurgaon etc. A man was arrested from Ghaziabad who committed a murder in Panipat. There should be no misplaced sympathy for these gangsters. Society needs to get rid of them.”
The Bench gave an example of Andhra Pradesh, where the state has already created special courts and given them extra infrastructure to speed up serious criminal trials.
Seeing the importance of the matter, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Union of India through the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, and also to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, asking them to respond on this issue.
The Court made it clear that this is no longer just a legal issue but a matter that needs a bigger institutional solution from the central government and the Delhi administration.
The case will come up again for hearing after four weeks.
CASE TITLE:
Mahesh Khatri Bholi v. State NCT of Delhi.
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