SANKARANARAYANAN Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner is the accused in C.C.No.158 of 2015 on the files of the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Ernakulam. The case originated from Crime No.1219 of 2015 registered at the Central Police Station, Kochi City for offences under Section 3 and 4 r/w 17 of the Kerala Money Lenders Act. The trial of the case has commenced and evidence of PW1 is yet to be completed. The petitioner, a senior citizen suffering from various ailments, is aggrieved by the delay in deciding the case.

(2.) In the report called for, the jurisdictional Magistrate has stated that PW1 was examined on 17.07.2019 and cross-examination was adjourned for want of time. Thereafter, summons was issued to PW1 and CWs 2 to 5 to appear on 17.02.2020, but the case had to be adjourned by notification due to the spread of Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown. The learned Magistrate has requested for six months time to dispose the case.

(3.) In the light of the report, the Crl.M.C is disposed of, directing the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ernakulam to dispose C.C.No.158 of 2015 within an outer limit of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.