P. Ramachandra Rao vs State Of Karnataka

The Supreme Court emphasized that Article 21 of the Constitution guarantees the right to a speedy trial as a fundamental aspect of personal liberty. It held that delays in criminal proceedings can impair an accused's ability to defend themselves, thus constituting a violation of this right. The Court ruled that the trial must commence within a reasonable time frame, and if it does not, the accused may be acquitted as per the precedent set in Raj Deo Sharma Vs. State of Bihar (1998) 7 SCC 507. The judgment reinforces the necessity for timely judicial processes in upholding constitutional rights.