- (1.)In the course of hearing, Professor Bhim Singh, appearing in-person, invited our attention to the order dated 10.11.2008, wherein the Court after noting the pending trials of prisoners from foreign country directed that the Courts conducting those trials shall ensure that the trials are concluded within a period of one year from the date of receipt of the copy of the order. The Court further directed that all concerned shall co-operate the Courts in deciding the cases within the time schedule. Professor Bhim Singh submits that in none of the cases referred to in the order dated 10.11.2008, trial has been concluded, although about five years and nine months have passed.
(2.)Confronted with this problem, we wanted to know from Mr. Mukul Rohatgi, learned Attorney General, whether Government of India is contemplating fast tracking criminal justice and if so, whether any policy has been framed and steps taken in this regard. Fast tracking of few categories of criminal cases without creation of additional courts and infrastructure creates more burden on the category of cases left out from fast tracking. For good governance, it is necessary that Courts are strengthened and criminal justice is fast-tracked. It is high time that the Central Government takes positive steps in consultation with the State Governments in fast tracking all types of criminal cases so that criminal justice is delivered timely and expeditiously.
(3.)Mr. Mukul Rohatgi, learned Attorney General, assures us that he will have a comprehensive look at the problem and come out with a concrete proposal within four weeks. List these matters on 5th September, 2014.