Bombay High Court
SHEILA COUTINHOversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ANR
- Decided
- Disposal
- Disposed Off
Holding
The petition is allowed and the Sessions Court is directed to decide the case within six months of the order.
Summary
Sheila Coutinho filed a criminal writ petition seeking an order to expedite the trial of Sessions Case No. 1018 of 2013 pending before the 17th Court of Sessions, Mumbai, which had been pending since 2013. The petitioner argued that the prolonged delay violated her right to a speedy trial. The High Court, after noting the inordinate delay, exercised its inherent powers to direct the Sessions Court to dispose of the case as early as possible, preferably within six months of the order. No substantive discussion of statutory provisions or precedents was recorded. The petition was allowed, an order for speedy disposal was issued, and the writ petition was thereafter disposed.
Issues considered
- Whether the High Court can direct a Sessions Court to expedite a criminal trial pending for an extended period
Subjects
- expedition of trial
- criminal procedure
- speedy trial
- writ petition
- delay in criminal trial
Judgment
30-WP-354-2023 (CR).doc
S.S.Kilaje
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL WRIT PETITION NO. 354 OF 2023
Sheila Coutinho ...Petitioner
VERSUS
State Of Maharashtra And Ors. ...Respondents
SONALI SATISH
Digitally signed
by SONALI
SATISH Date:
KILAJE _________________________________________________________________
KILAJE 2026.09.02
14:59:22 +0530
None for Petitioner.
Mr. B. B. Kulkarni, APP for the Respondent – State.
_________________________________________________________________
CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.
DATE : 1st SEPTEMBER, 2026.
P.C. :
1. None for the petitioner.
2. By this Petition, the petitioner is praying to expedite the trial in
Sessions Case No. 1018 of 2013 pending before the 17 th Court of Sessions
Court, Mumbai.
3. Learned APP submits that appropriate order be passed.
4. As the Sessions Case is pending since year 2013, I pass
following order :
ORDER
i. Petition is allowed.
ii. The learned 17th Court of Sessions Court, Mumbai,
shall decide the Sessions Case No. 1018 of 2013 as
early as possible preferably within six months after
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30-WP-354-2023 (CR).doc
S.S.Kilaje
receipt of this order, if not decided earlier.
5. Writ Petition is disposed of.
(SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)
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