High Court in Punjab and Haryana expresses surprise at trial court's lax approach towards a case involving a prominent army officer
Punjab and Haryana High Court Sets Guidelines for Expediting Trials of Senior Citizens
In a significant move to ensure justice for senior citizens in criminal cases, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued guidelines to prioritise and expedite such trials. The directives were issued in the case of Col. Sukhwinder Singh Dhillon v. State of Punjab, following complaints of unreasonable delays in a case involving a 76-year-old army veteran, Colonel Dhillon.
The guidelines emphasise the importance of prioritising cases involving senior citizens and ensuring they are decided within a fixed timeframe to avoid undue delays. Exemptions from personal appearance should be granted only on reasonable grounds to prevent frequent adjournments and ensure the trial proceeds swiftly.
Presiding officers have been advised to adopt a humane and balanced approach when dealing with senior litigants, ensuring fairness and sensitivity. The District and Sessions Judge has been directed to hold meetings with all judicial officers to remind them against casual or lenient attitudes in criminal trials that cause delays, especially in cases involving senior citizens.
The need for speedy, humane, and efficient trial proceedings that respect the dignity and urgency warranted by age-related vulnerabilities has been underscored.
The High Court's directions come in the wake of Colonel Dhillon's complaint about delays in a case against alleged online scamsters. It was found that the trial court was unreasonably lenient with the jail authorities who failed to produce the case before the court. Only two witnesses have been recorded by the Court in the last four years, despite the matter being perused by Colonel Dhillon, a retired Army Officer.
The meeting to sensitize judicial officers is to be held within a week of receiving the certified copy of the order. The trial court hearing Colonel Dhillon's case has been directed to decide on the matter within eight months after receiving a copy of the order. A copy of the order was also directed to be placed before all trial judges who had dealt with the case earlier.
The High Court's order is a significant step towards ensuring that the justice system remains responsive and sensitive to the needs of senior citizens in criminal cases. It serves as a reminder to all judicial officers to approach cases involving senior citizens with the sensitivity, urgency, and fairness they deserve.
[1] Colonel Dhillon fell victim to a fake insurance policy scam and lost money to the tune of ₹58.68 lakhs. [2] Colonel Dhillon filed a plea complaining about delays in the case against alleged online scamsters. [3] The order was issued after noticing delays in the trial of Colonel Dhillon's case caused by frequent adjournments and leniency towards the accused's exemptions from appearance. [4] The Court relied on the Supreme Court's judgement in the matter of Kartar Singh Vs. State of Punjab to reiterate the importance of a speedy trial. [5] The trial court was criticized for being unduly lenient towards the accused and the jail authorities. [6] Deputy Advocate General MS Bajwa represented the Punjab government. [7] Advocate Neha Shukla appeared for Colonel Dhillon. [8] Colonel Dhillon alleged that the accused in this case had intentionally caused delays by frequently being absent from court and requesting numerous exemptions from personal appearances. [9] The order was passed by Justice NS Shekhawat on July 22. [10] The District and Sessions Judge, S.A.S. Nagar, was directed to send the copy of the order to all the presiding officers who had dealt with the case since 30.09.2021.
- The High Court's order stresses the importance of policy-and-legislation that ensures expeditious trials for senior citizens in criminal cases, aiming to address the unique challenges they face within the justice system.
- In the realm of politics and general-news, the move by the Punjab and Haryana High Court to prioritize trials for senior citizens is a significant step, illustrating the court's commitment to upholding justice and the dignity of those most vulnerable in society.
