Srinagar: The Indian Supreme Court has expressed concern over the prolonged delay in criminal trials in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, revealing that 351 sessions cases have been pending for over five years in the territory.
According to Kashmir24, the apex court, terming the situation unacceptable, stressed that under trial prisoners cannot be kept in jail indefinitely and directed the authorities to prepare a concrete action plan to speed up the disposal of long-pending cases.
The observations were made by a bench comprising Justice J. B. Pardiwala and Justice K. V. Viswanathan while examining an affidavit submitted by Principal Secretary (Home) Chandraker Bharti. The affidavit stated that 351 cases involving 585 accused persons have remained pending in courts across Jammu and Kashmir for over five years.
According to the details submitted before the court, 235 cases are currently at the stage of recording oral evidence of prosecution witnesses. In addition, 14 cases are at the stage of recording statements under Section 313 of the CrPC, 34 cases are awaiting final arguments, six cases are at the stage of judgment, and two cases remain at the charge or evidence stage.