SULEMAN Vs. STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) We have perused the report.

(2.) While making submissions on 25/3/2022, learned counsel for the appellant sought to contend that there Signature Not Verified was no criminal Bench available to last 25 days and we found that disturbing. We considered appropriate to call a report from the Registrar of the Lucknow Bench in this behalf on the aspect of non- availability of the Bench. It is in this context the report has been filed which shows what the appellant submitted was not the factual position. One Division Bench and at least one Single Judge Bench have been sitting throughout and for the relevant 25 days there has been at least two Division Benches and three Single Benches. However, the data also throws light on another aspect i.e. number of convicts in jail for more than 14 years and 10 years whose appeals are pending consideration. The details are as under :

(3.) What is of concern to us is cases which are pending for 10 years and 14 years in appeal, where bail applications are also pending and some of them are in in carceration even without pending bail applications as they may have been disposed of. On our query, learned counsel appearing for the High Court submits that in single offence cases, the matters are referred for remission after 14 years of actual incarceration and 20 years with remission.