The Delhi High Court has issued a directive to a trial court, urging it to expedite the proceedings in multiple cases against a Yemeni national. The court observed that the man's continued detention, pending trial, is imposing a significant financial burden on the state exchequer.
Court's Directive on Prolonged Detention
Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta, presiding over the case, instructed the Rohini district court to prioritize and conclude the trials against the foreign national at the earliest. The bench emphasized that the accused has been in custody for a considerable period, and the delay in judicial proceedings is not only affecting his liberty but also costing the government substantial resources for his upkeep in detention.
The order was passed while the High Court was hearing a plea filed by the Yemeni citizen, who sought the quashing of one of the FIRs registered against him. However, the court declined to quash the case, stating that the allegations required a proper trial for determination.
Details of the Cases and Government's Stance
The Yemeni national is embroiled in several criminal cases, including charges under the stringent Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The specific plea before the High Court pertained to an FIR registered at the Prashant Vihar police station in Rohini.
The government counsel, representing the state, argued against granting any relief, highlighting the serious nature of the accusations. They submitted that the allegations were grave and warranted a full-fledged trial to arrive at the truth.
After considering the arguments from both sides, Justice Mendiratta disposed of the petition. While refusing to quash the FIR, the judge explicitly directed the trial court to fast-track the connected cases. The court's reasoning centered on the dual concern of justice delayed for the accused and the unnecessary expenditure borne by the public.
Broader Implications and Judicial Efficiency
This directive from the Delhi High Court underscores a critical aspect of judicial administration: the economic cost of prolonged incarceration of undertrial prisoners. The court's order implicitly calls for greater efficiency in the lower judiciary to ensure that trials, especially those involving foreign nationals in prolonged detention, are concluded swiftly.
Such interventions are seen as steps towards decongesting prisons and ensuring that the legal process does not become a punishment in itself for those awaiting trial. The focus on the financial burden on the government adds a pragmatic dimension to the call for speedy justice, framing it as a matter of prudent fiscal management as well as a fundamental right.
The Rohini district court is now expected to schedule hearings in the cases against the Yemeni national on a priority basis, adhering to the High Court's instructions to expedite the process and bring the matters to a logical conclusion.
