A viral video showing 85-year-old Deep Rai alias Jisa Rai leaving a Bihar court with a walking stick after being sentenced in a 34-year-old criminal case nearly prompted the Supreme Court to initiate suo motu proceedings, reigniting debate over judicial delays and prolonged criminal trials.
In a remarkable turn of events, a viral video showing an 85-year-old man walking with the aid of a stick outside a court complex in Bihar nearly prompted the Supreme Court of India to initiate suo motu proceedings. The incident triggered concern at the highest judicial level and briefly set in motion preparations for an urgent hearing before the country’s top court.
The elderly man, identified as Deep Rai alias Jisa Rai, became the subject of widespread public attention after reports emerged that he had been sentenced to imprisonment in a criminal case that had remained pending for more than three decades. The images of the frail octogenarian struggling to walk after the verdict sparked debate on delays in the criminal justice system and the impact of prolonged trials on aging litigants.
The developments began on Tuesday when a video circulating widely on social media showed the elderly convict leaving court premises with a walking stick and slippers. News reports accompanying the video stated that a Bihar court had sentenced the 85-year-old man to three years of imprisonment in a case that had been pending for nearly 34 years.
The visuals quickly attracted public sympathy and raised questions about the prolonged duration of criminal trials. The case soon reached the attention of judicial authorities, including the Supreme Court.
The information regarding the case reached Chief Justice of India Surya Kant while he was engaged in a Collegium meeting with senior judges concerning appointments to various High Courts. Concerned by the reports, the Chief Justice reportedly expressed a desire to examine the matter and consider taking suo motu cognizance. Directions were said to have been issued to the Supreme Court Registry to obtain details regarding the case from the Patna High Court.
As preparations for a possible hearing commenced, security personnel were instructed to unlock Court No. 1, the courtroom of the Chief Justice. Registry officials also began the process of listing the matter for urgent consideration. For a brief period, it appeared that the case would be taken up directly by the Supreme Court.
However, the situation changed after the Supreme Court received information from the Patna High Court regarding the actual status of the case. The trial court had already granted interim bail to the elderly convict, enabling him to challenge the conviction before the High Court. Since immediate relief had already been provided, the urgency that initially prompted consideration of suo motu action no longer existed.
After being informed of this development, the Chief Justice decided not to proceed further with the matter at that stage. Consequently, Court No. 1, which had been opened in anticipation of a hearing, was closed again later in the afternoon.
Background of the 34-Year-Old Criminal Case
The criminal proceedings trace their origins to an incident that allegedly occurred in 1992 in Bihar’s Vaishali district.
According to the prosecution, a dispute between two families escalated into violence, leading to allegations that members of one family opened fire on a married couple. Following the incident, criminal proceedings were initiated against nine members of the accused family on charges that included attempt to murder.
What followed was an extraordinarily prolonged legal battle spanning more than three decades. During the pendency of the trial, four of the nine accused persons passed away. Only five accused remained alive by the time the trial concluded.
Recently, a trial court in Vaishali delivered its judgment in the long-pending case. Among those convicted was Deep Rai, also known as Jisa Rai, who is now 85 years old. The court sentenced him to three years of imprisonment.
The remaining four surviving accused were awarded more severe punishment. Each was sentenced to ten years of imprisonment and fined Rs 25,000. The verdict brought an end to litigation that had remained unresolved for nearly 34 years, but it also reignited discussion about judicial delays and the challenges faced by elderly accused persons whose cases remain pending for decades.
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The case has once again highlighted concerns regarding prolonged criminal trials in India. Legal experts have often pointed out that lengthy delays can have significant consequences not only for victims seeking justice but also for accused persons who spend years under the shadow of criminal prosecution.
The fact that several accused died before the conclusion of the proceedings and that an octogenarian was convicted more than three decades after the alleged offence has intensified debate over the need for faster disposal of old criminal cases.
The episode also offered a rare insight into how rapidly the judiciary can respond when matters of public importance attract widespread attention. Although the Supreme Court ultimately did not initiate suo motu proceedings after learning that interim bail had already been granted, the developments demonstrated the Court’s willingness to intervene when questions concerning justice, liberty, and fairness arise.
For a few hours, a viral video from a district court in Bihar had nearly brought an aging convict’s case directly before the highest court in the country, underscoring both the power of public attention and the judiciary’s sensitivity to issues involving personal liberty and access to justice.
