NEW DELHI, May 29: In a landmark step aimed at ensuring timely justice, the Supreme Court has directed all High Courts across the country to pronounce reserved judgments within three months from the date on which verdicts are reserved. The directions were issued by invoking Article 142 of the Constitution to address delays in the delivery of judgments.
The apex court observed that prolonged delays in pronouncing judgments undermine public confidence in the justice delivery system and adversely affect litigants awaiting final outcomes.
The Court further ordered that bail applications involving personal liberty should ordinarily be decided on the same day. If an order is reserved, it must be pronounced and uploaded by the following day.
In another significant direction, the Supreme Court said that undertrial prisoners granted bail must be released on the same day or, at the latest, by the next day. Trial courts have also been directed to report compliance to the concerned High Courts.
The Court clarified that while the operative portion of a judgment may be pronounced in open court, the detailed reasoned judgment must be uploaded within seven days.
The directions are intended to streamline judicial functioning, reduce uncertainty for litigants, and ensure faster disposal of cases across the country.(KNC)
