The Supreme Court remarked that even a snail would question the pace of a civil trial after noting that a suit filed in 2015 remained at the plaintiff’s evidence stage in 2026. The Court termed the delay starkly inconsistent with legislative intent.
A Delhi court reserved its order on the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case after hearing both sides. The activists argued prolonged detention without trial violates their fundamental right to liberty.
The Gauhati High Court held that litigants cannot seek repeated adjournments during trial and later blame their lawyers for the resulting delay to reopen or prolong the proceedings. The Court said such tactics cannot be permitted in the interest of justice.
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.
The Supreme Court of India granted bail to former IAS officer Anil Tuteja in the Chhattisgarh DMF irregularities case, noting that several co-accused had already secured bail and that examination of nearly 85 prosecution witnesses would considerably delay the trial.
The Supreme Court of India directed a Bengaluru court to expedite proceedings in the Renukaswamy murder case involving Darshan, observing that the trial was progressing “very slow,” while also ordering Karnataka to provide him facilities available to undertrial prisoners.
The Supreme Court of India expressed concern over delays in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence trial, directing lawful measures to secure witnesses’ presence after noting the Uttar Pradesh government failed to explain their non-production before the trial court for nearly two months.
The Delhi High Court granted bail to two accused booked under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, noting prolonged custody exceeding four years and absence of timely trial, despite allegations of promoting Islamic State ideology.
The Bombay High Court said there is “no harm” in allowing Elgar Parishad accused Gautam Navlakha to shift to his Delhi residence till the trial starts, noting he is not a flight risk. The court observed that forcing the 73-year-old to stay in Mumbai despite having a home in Delhi was unjustified.
The Supreme Court criticised a West Bengal magistrate for wrongly saying he lost jurisdiction after failing to meet a six-week trial deadline. The Bench stressed judges must seek time extension, not abandon cases.
