In a swift response to a Supreme Court nudge, the Jharkhand High Court has pronounced long-delayed verdicts in 10 criminal appeals — including those of six death row convicts — within a span of one week, after the convicts approached the apex court alleging inordinate delay in deciding their appeals.
The development unfolded after the Supreme Court, on July 14, agreed to hear the plea filed by the convicts whose appeals had remained undecided for years despite judgments having been reserved. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi sought a response from the Jharkhand High Court and the state government within a week.
On July 21, the bench was informed by advocate Fauzia Shakil, appearing for the petitioners, that the Jharkhand High Court had delivered judgments in all the pending cases between July 16 and July 18.
Among the outcomes, two life convicts — Amit Kumar Das and Basant Kumar Mahto — were acquitted. While Das was released from jail following the verdict, Mahto remained incarcerated as the judgment had not been uploaded. The apex court ordered his immediate release, subject to furnishing bail bonds.
In another case, the appeal of life convict Nirmal Bhengra was dismissed on July 18. The top court directed the Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority to contact him and provide free legal assistance for pursuing further legal remedies.
Similarly, the bench took note of the case of death row convict Nitesh Sahu, whose appeal was also dismissed, and extended the same direction for legal aid.
A split verdict was delivered in the case of death row convicts Sanatan Baski and Sukhlal Murmu, prompting a reference to a third judge. The Supreme Court requested the newly appointed Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court to constitute a bench to decide the matter expeditiously.
For three other death row convicts — Gandhi Oraon, Rohit Rai, and Bandhan Oraon — whose appeals were dismissed on July 18, the court asked the legal services authority to assist them in filing a Supreme Court appeal or a plea for remission.
The apex court also extended similar directions in the case of life convict Pratap Sahi, whose sentence had been suspended pending the appeal.
Of the ten convicts, nine were lodged at the Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi’s Hotwar and one at Dumka Central Jail.
In a broader context, the Supreme Court expressed serious concern over long-pending judgments in various high courts and has called for detailed reports on such cases. It has directed all high courts to submit information on matters where judgments were reserved on or before January 31 this year.
Calling the non-pronouncement of judgments a “very disturbing issue,” the apex court indicated its intention to frame mandatory guidelines to address delays in judicial decision-making. The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 22.
