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New Delhi: In a bid to ensure speedy justice and discourage delaying tactics adopted by accused in procuring a lengthy stay on trial, particularly in corruption and criminal cases, the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that a stay on proceedings must not exceed six months.
The SC ruled that lower courts could proceed after a six-month period, preventing accused from dragging on the trial. The order should reduce the probability of the maxim “justice delayed is justice denied” becoming the norm and aiding the accused in avoiding just desserts in a court of law. Prolonged trials can result in witnesses turning hostile or even dying and evidence being diluted — developments that frustrate victims and law enforcement agencies.
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