COMMON CAUSE, A REGISTERED SOCIETY vs UNION OF INDIA .

The Supreme Court, in a writ petition under Article 32, addressed the issue of prolonged criminal proceedings, particularly for minor offences under the Motor Vehicles Act and IPC. The Court recognized the oppressive nature of lengthy delays in trials, especially affecting the poor, and proposed directions for the unconditional release of accused persons in cases pending for over three years, or where the maximum sentence is less than seven years. The Court emphasized the need for timely justice to uphold the right to life and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.