The Allahabad High Court has voiced strong concerns over the sluggish pace of legal proceedings in the Prayagraj trial court, highlighting severe disarray in its operations. Justice Ajay Bhanot expressed significant dissatisfaction with the handling of trials, especially pointing out the prolonged incarceration periods of undertrial prisoners without due progress in their cases.
During a bail hearing on September 27 for an accused named Ashfak, who has been detained since July 2019 without a single witness being examined, Justice Bhanot remarked on the unacceptable delays. “The trials are moving at an inordinately slow pace and the courts seem to be unmindful of long periods of incarceration of the accused persons. There is prima facie disarray in the functioning of the judgeship,” he stated.
The counsel for Ashfak argued that the lack of trial progress demonstrates a dire situation, urging that the district judge of Allahabad should be made aware of the dismal state of affairs. This led Justice Bhanot to acknowledge that despite repeated directives from the High Court to expedite trials, especially for those long detained, little has been achieved.
Previously on September 17, the High Court had dismissed a response from the Prayagraj trial court that failed to adequately explain the absence of coercive measures to ensure the presence of witnesses, which has contributed to the delays. The court also noted on September 25 that no witnesses had been examined to date and subsequently demanded a fresh report.
