State Through Cbi vs Dr. Narayan Waman Nerukar And Anr

The Supreme Court held that the right to a speedy trial, as enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution of India, was violated in the case against respondent no.1, who faced charges under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 and Section 120-B IPC. The Court found that the High Court's quashing of the proceedings due to unnecessary delay was justified, emphasizing that the mere number of witnesses cannot justify prolonged trials. The Court upheld the High Court's decision, reinforcing the principle that delays in trial can infringe upon an accused's rights, particularly when the maximum punishment is relatively low.