VINIT YADAV Vs. STATE OF HARYANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In the instant case, this Court was profoundly concerned over the significant delay in receipt of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report, which consequently delayed the filing of the challan. The State of Haryana sought to justify this delay by pointing to deficiencies in infrastructure and technical resources.

(2.) However, this issue is not unique to the case at hand; rather, it is part of a broader, systemic problem that has repeatedly surfaced during various hearings before this Court. Notably, such delays are particularly prevalent in cases under the NDPS Act, where a prolonged timeline for filing FSL reports not only impedes the investigation but also significantly delays the completion of trials.

(3.) The right to a speedy trial, a fundamental safeguard enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, is one of the most significant constitutional rights available to citizens. This principle forms the bedrock of our criminal justice system, underscoring the need for prompt and efficient administration of justice. Inordinate delays in the trial infringe upon rights of under-trials and also results in hardships to victims, who must overcome substantial challenges merely to have their grievances heard in Courts. The issue at hand is, therefore, not merely procedural; it cuts to the heart of the fundamental right to speedy trial of a citizen.