High Court in Punjab and Haryana expresses surprise at the lackadaisical approach of the trial court in a case involving a high-ranking military retiree from the army.
In a significant move to ensure timely justice for senior citizens, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the District and Sessions Judge of SAS Nagar to convene a meeting to sensitize judicial officers about the importance of speedy trials in cases involving elderly litigants.
The decision comes in response to a plea by Colonel Sukhwinder Singh Dhillon, who alleged delays in a case against alleged online scamsters that he has been pursuing for nearly four years. Justice NS Shekhawat passed the order on July 22.
The Court's directive is based on the guidelines for prioritizing and expediting cases involving senior citizens, as highlighted in the case Col. Sukhwinder Singh Dhillon v. State of Punjab. This principle emphasizes that courts must give priority and speedier disposal to cases filed by or involving senior citizens, recognizing their limited time and vulnerabilities.
The meeting is aimed at addressing the issue of a casual approach in criminal trials, particularly when they involve senior citizens. The Court has stressed that cases involving senior citizens should be prioritized and decided expeditiously. Advocate Neha Shukla represented Colonel Dhillon in the case, while Deputy Advocate General MS Bajwa represented the Punjab government.
The Court criticized the trial proceedings in Colonel Dhillon's case, accusing the accused of intentionally causing delays by frequently being absent from court and requesting numerous exemptions from personal appearances. The Court also found the trial court to be unduly lenient towards both the accused and the jail authorities in Colonel Dhillon's case.
Colonel Dhillon, a retired Army Officer who travels from Amritsar to Mohali to attend the Court proceedings at the age of 76 years, fell victim to a fake insurance policy scam and lost money to the tune of ₹58.68 lakhs. Only two witnesses have been recorded by the Court in Colonel Dhillon's case.
The Court has directed the trial court hearing Colonel Dhillon's case to decide on the matter within eight months after receiving a copy of the order. Furthermore, the District and Sessions Judge, S.A.S. Nagar, was directed to send a copy of the order to all the presiding officers who had dealt with Colonel Dhillon's case since September 2021.
This approach aligns with broader government and judicial efforts to mitigate the backlog and expedite sensitive cases involving senior citizens, reflecting social and constitutional respect for the elderly's rights and needs. The Court has urged judicial officers not to adopt a casual approach and to adopt a humane and balanced approach while dealing with litigants.
This case reaffirms the principle that the judiciary must actively prioritize older litigants, aiming to reduce delays in justice for elderly litigants and recognizing their limited time and vulnerabilities. No conflicting or alternative prioritization principles were found, confirming the consensus on expedited treatment for senior citizens' cases in Indian courts.
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