#Delayed Prosecution

Rajasthan High Court grants bail in a case under Sections 307/308 IPC, where a medical opinion linking injuries to life-threatening harm was obtained three years post-incident, rendering it unreliable. The court emphasized the prejudice caused by delayed prosecution and the existence of cross-FIRs, reinforcing the need for timely evidence collection in criminal trials.

Orissa HC affirms conviction under the Prevention of Corruption Act for falsifying bank records but reduces sentence to one week rigorous imprisonment and Rs. 30,000 fine, citing the appellant’s advanced age and unprecedented 45-year trial delay. The ruling underscores that individual liability persists even if co-accused are acquitted, setting a precedent for proportional sentencing in delayed prosecutions.

Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that summoning witnesses under Section 311 CrPC after 10 years of litigation prejudices the accused and constitutes judicial abuse. The decision underscores that prosecutorial delay in examining key witnesses cannot override fair trial rights, even for investigating agencies like the CBI.