Nagaveni v. The State

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

[ CIRCUIT BENCH AT PORT BLAIR ] *** CRR/18/2024 Nagaveni Vs.

The State Ms. Vinita Devi .... for the petitioner [on behalf of Mr.Gopala Binnu Kumar] Ms. A.S.Zinu ... for the State February 27, 2024 [SR] Item No.10 This is an application seeking speedy trial of G.R.Case No.1005/2014 pending before the learned Judicial Magistrate First Class-I, South Andaman District at Port Blair. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits as follows. The petitioner is an accused in this case. An FIR was lodged on 23.07.2014 under sections 483/486/420 of Indian Penal Code. The petitioner was granted anticipatory bail in connection with this case. After completion of purported investigation, a chargesheet dated 21.08.2014 was submitted. Charges were framed on 23.04.2017. Yet, till date, out of total 11 prosecution witnesses, only 3 could be examined. On number of occasions witnesses were found absent.

Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the State submits that there was some procedural delay in the matter. However, on a few occasions some of the accused had also prayed for adjournment. It appears that although an FIR was registered in the year 2014 and charges were framed in 2017, till date only 3 out of 11 witnesses could be examined during trial.

In view of the above and in the interest of justice, the learned Trial Court is directed to conclude the proceedings as expeditiously

as possible, without granting any unnecessary adjournment to any of the parties, preferably within one year from the next date of hearing.

With these observations, the revisional application is disposed of.

Urgent certified photostat copy of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the parties, upon compliance of usual formalities. ( Jay Sengupta, J. )