The Punjab and Haryana High Court strongly criticized the trial court’s casual and indifferent handling of a criminal case involving 76-year-old retired Army veteran, Colonel Sukhwinder Singh Dhillon. The veteran had fallen victim to an online insurance fraud amounting to ₹58.68 lakhs and had been seeking justice for years. Despite the seriousness of the case and the advanced age of the complainant, the trial court showed alarming laxity in its approach. Over a span of nearly four years, there was virtually no substantial progress, with only two prosecution witnesses examined.
The Court observed that the accused were repeatedly granted exemptions from personal appearance without adequate justification, and on around ten occasions, jail authorities failed to produce the accused for hearings. This prolonged delay in proceedings, coupled with the lack of urgency in addressing the matter, compelled the veteran to approach the High Court for intervention.
Justice N.S. Shekhawat, expressing deep concern, noted that such a relaxed approach by the trial court not only undermines the justice delivery system but also causes immense hardship to victims, particularly senior citizens. The Court stressed that the judiciary has both a legal and moral obligation to handle cases involving elderly victims with sensitivity and promptness. The failure to ensure timely progress not only delays justice but also erodes public confidence in the system.
In a stern set of directions, the High Court ordered the District and Sessions Judge of S.A.S. Nagar to convene a meeting with all judicial officers within one week of receiving the certified copy of the order. The purpose of this meeting is to sensitize judicial officers to avoid casual approaches in criminal trials and to ensure that exemptions from appearance are granted only when there are valid and reasonable grounds. The Court specifically instructed that cases involving senior citizens must be treated on a priority basis and handled with both humanity and judicial diligence.
Citing the Supreme Court’s ruling in Kartar Singh v. State of Punjab, the High Court reiterated the importance of a speedy trial, not just as a constitutional right for the accused but as an essential component of public interest and justice delivery. The Court emphasized that timely justice ensures accountability, deters wrongdoing, and upholds the credibility of the judicial system.
To prevent further delays, the High Court directed that the trial in Colonel Dhillon’s case be concluded within eight months from the receipt of its order. Additionally, it mandated that a copy of the order be circulated to all presiding judges who have dealt with the case since September 30, 2021. This step aims to highlight the seriousness of judicial responsibility and to prevent similar lapses in future proceedings.
The ruling stands as a firm reminder that the judiciary must maintain diligence, especially in cases involving vulnerable litigants, and that justice delayed through negligence or indifference is justice denied.
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