The Supreme Court on Friday came down heavily on the Maharashtra government over the slow progress of a murder trial, observing that while the State routinely opposes bail applications, it fails to ensure that criminal trials are conducted expeditiously.
A Bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice Sheel Nagu made the observations while hearing the bail plea of Kelvin Chindozie Okoro, a foreign national accused in a 2022 case involving allegations of kidnapping, murder and rioting.
Refusing to grant bail at this stage, the Bench nevertheless expressed serious concern that the accused has remained in custody for more than four years, while only two of the 45prosecution witnesses have been examined during this period.
Okoro was arrested on May 7, 2022. His first bail application was rejected by the Bombay High Court in 2024. Earlier this year, he again approached the High Court, citing a change in circumstances due to the prolonged delay in the trial. The High Court declined to reconsider the matter on merits but directed the trial court to expedite the proceedings.
He subsequently moved the Supreme Court seeking bail.
After evaluating the details, the Supreme Court turned down his plea for release, ruling that there were currently no grounds to grant him bail.
However, Justice Amanullah remarked that the pace of the trial reflected a disturbing pattern of systemic delay that had been troubling the Court for some time.
In response, counsel appearing for the Maharashtra government sought time to file a detailed counter-affidavit explaining the reasons for the delay in completing the trial.
Accepting the request, the Bench directed the State to place on record a comprehensive explanation for the slow progress of the proceedings.
The Court also referred to its order passed a day earlier in another matter concerning the State of Punjab, where it had imposed Rs 50,000 costs on the Superintendent of Police, Amritsar, over delays in prosecution. Although the penalty has been kept in abeyance pending the State’s response, the Bench indicated that it is closely monitoring prosecutorial delays across States.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 24.
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