The Supreme Court has expressed worry over material witness depositions not being recorded, emphasizing that this omission often causes repeated adjournments, exacerbating case backlog and delays in appeals.
The Supreme Court bench, including Justices Sanjay Karol and Abhay S. Oka, heard an appeal challenging a Kerala High Court judgment in a murder case. Notably, the apex court affirmed the conviction of the appellants, marking a resolution two decades after the tragic incident occurred.
To streamline procedures and boost efficiency, the Court examined Order XX of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013, with a focus on sub-rules 2 and 3 of Rule 5. These rules pertain to obtaining physical copies of original records in criminal appeals, especially those related to life sentences or the death penalty.
The Court has proposed amendments to streamline the process of obtaining case records in criminal appeals, suggesting the following changes:
To expedite the process, the Court suggests amending Sub-Rule 3 by adding 'soft copy' before 'original records.' This modification would involve requisitioning e-copies of the original records, ensuring faster availability to the court and aligning with environmentally conscious practices.
Additionally, the Court proposes extending the requisition of soft copies of records to cases where leave is granted against an order of acquittal or conviction. This expansion would be facilitated through necessary amendments to the Rules.
Providing Soft copies to counselsSuch soft copies of the records, once received be provided to the learned counsel appearing for the parties
The Court advocates broadening the requisition of soft copies of records to instances where leave is granted against acquittal or conviction orders. This recommendation suggests amending the rules to encompass such scenarios, fostering a more efficient and comprehensive approach. This extension would ensure the timely availability of electronic records, aligning with the proposed amendments aiming for a swift and environmentally conscious process.
TAGS: Court recommendation Soft copies Record requisition Leave granted Acquittal or conviction Rule amendments
