In India, the quote "Justice Delayed is Justice Denied" is frequently cited in legal proceedings, orders, and judgments. However, its impact has been minimal, leading to a rising backlog of cases, especially criminal ones. This issue has been discussed at governance and judicial levels, yet the situation continues to worsen.
The author's conscience is compelled to address this proverb due to the severe mental toll on accused individuals in prolonged criminal trials. These delays, spanning years, leave the accused mentally imprisoned and living in torment.
The judiciary, known for its sharp discernment, appears inconsistent in criminal cases. Accused individuals endure financial, physical, and mental torture without fault, often for over twenty-five years. If trials concluded within a reasonable five-year period, many could have been exonerated much sooner. Even the cruelest animal shows mercy, yet the current system subjects the accused to prolonged suffering unjustly.