SC flags 'disturbing' pendency in appeals verdicts

THE COURT SAID THE REPORTS SHOULD BE FILED IN A MONTH AND POSTED THE MATTER TO JULY

- Abraham Thomas

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday asked all high courts to provide data on appeals in criminal cases where judgments have been reserved for over four months. Observing that such delay is "very disturbing", the court underlined the need for mandatory guidelines in this regard.

The court passed the order on a petition filed by four convicts sentenced to life imprisonment lodged in a Jharkhand jail who are awaiting judgment on their appeals since 2022, when orders were reserved. While three were convicted for murder, the fourth was convicted in a rape case. On Monday, a report filed by the registrar general of the Jharkhand high court cited about 56 such cases, including criminal appeals, in which judgments have been reserved for two months or more.