The Supreme Court strongly criticised the Maharashtra government for failing to conduct the trial of a 2022 murder case while the accused has remained in custody for over four years. The Court said the State opposed bail but neglected its duty to ensure a timely trial.
The Supreme Court has issued a sharp rebuke to the Maharashtra government over serious delays in a murder case, noting that the accused has remained in jail for more than four years with little progress in the trial.
While the Court refused bail to the foreign national involved, it also ordered the state to explain, formally, why the proceedings have moved so slowly highlighting continuing concerns about judicial efficiency and the state’s responsibility to ensure timely trials for inmates.
A bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Sheel Nagu criticized the Maharashtra government for the sluggish pace of the criminal matter.
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The bench said the accused has been held in custody for over four years, yet the trial has advanced only marginally.
The Court remarked,
“The State opposes the prayer for bail for the accused, but when it comes to discharging its obligations, like conducting the trial, nothing is done. It is found that the State is totally lacking in that regard,”
The Court pointed out that during this entire period, just two of forty-five prosecution witnesses have been examined, raising questions about the effectiveness of the state’s legal and investigative processes.
The case involves Kelvin Chindozie Okoro, a foreign national arrested in May 2022 and facing charges related to kidnapping and murder. After the Bombay High Court rejected his bail applications, the matter was brought before the Supreme Court.
Although the defence argued that the prolonged delay in the trial amounted to a change in circumstances, the bench declined to grant bail at this stage, stating that no adequate basis for relief had been established.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court highlighted what it described as a disconnect between the state’s forceful opposition to bail requests and its apparent failure to ensure the case is concluded within a reasonable time.
Justice Amanullah remarked on what he called systemic inertia, observing that prolonged incarceration without corresponding movement in the judicial process has become a recurring issue. The Court directed the Maharashtra government to file a detailed affidavit laying out the specific reasons the trial has remained stagnant.
This intervention comes after a broader pattern of the Supreme Court adopting a stricter approach toward administrative and institutional delays in the legal system.
The Court remarked,
“Just yesterday, the court addressed similar issues in Punjab, indicating a wider focus on ensuring that legal processes do not result in unnecessary and indefinite detention.”
For legal and administrative observers, the affidavit that the Maharashtra government is expected to submit will be the main point to watch, as it may reveal whether the delay stemmed from procedural lapses, difficulties in securing witnesses, or broader institutional and resource constraints.
Case Title: Kelvin Chindozie Okoro v. State of Maharashtra