Delhi High Court Flags 5-Month Judgment Delay in Case Where Accused is in Jail for 5 Years

The Delhi High Court criticised a trial judge for delaying the pronouncement of judgment for nearly five months after reserving it in a criminal trial under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.

The Court noted that the case was repeatedly listed for judgment but deferred on grounds such as the accused’s absence and the need for clarification from the investigating officer.

It held that once judgment is reserved, the same judge is duty-bound to pronounce it, and directing a rehearing before a successor judge would cause avoidable delay and serious prejudice, especially when the accused has already spent over five years in custody.

Referring to Section 258 of the BNSS, 2023, which mandates delivery of criminal judgments within 45 days, the Court sent the matter back to the predecessor judge to pronounce the verdict.

[Parvesh Mann @ Sagar Mann v. State NCT of Delhi]