What is wrong with Justice Delivery System
A sessions court on Monday confirmed the three year imprisonment awarded to a 74- year -old man and a 59-year -old woman who cheated Bank of India to the tune of Rs.39 lakh, 31 years ago. Upholding a 2017 magistrate’s court order, the court dismissed their appeals.
Now let us examine the timeline:
1. Fraud happened 31 yrs. Ago.
2. Magistrate took 26 yrs. to issue court order.
3. Sessions court took 5 yrs. to uphold the court order.
4. This is not end of story. As accused can appeal to High Court.
5. High Court may take another 10 years to pronounce its order.
6. Irrespective of in whose favour High Court rules, one party will appeal to Supreme Court.
7. Being heavily loaded Supreme Court may take another 10 to 15 yrs. to decide the appeal.
8. So it is likely to take a total of 51 to 56 yrs. to finally close the case.
This is not an isolated case. Similar delays take place for most of court cases.
I suggest that this case may be taken as case study for reforming Indian Judicial System. The study will point out the reasons for such long delays in deciding court cases. Corrective action can be initiated by government to improve justice delivery system. more