Supreme Court flags 44-year delay in Jharkhand murder appeal

The Supreme Court addressed the prolonged pendency of the trial and appeal, and the petitioner's request for relief based on his medical condition and age.

Who it concerns: Petitioner: Simon Soren; Respondent: The State of Jharkhand; Bench: Hon'ble Mr. Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Hon'ble Mr. Justice K. Vinod Chandran.

What the court decided

• The Court suspended the sentence and directed the immediate release of the petitioner on bail, conditioned on his personal surety and not committing any crime.
• The Court ordered the requisition of the original records in physical and digital form from the High Court/Trial Court within four weeks.
• The Court permitted the petitioner to implead the Union of India in the matter.
• The Court directed the Advocate-on-Record for the High Court to serve a copy of the Registrar General's Affidavit of Compliance to the Office of the Attorney General/Solicitor General.
• The matter was posted for the next hearing on 18.09.2026.

Also in the document

• The Court noted that the crime went unpunished as the petitioner had spent only 2 years, 4 months, and 12 days in custody despite the 44-year duration of the proceedings.
• The Court observed a 'shocking pendency' of criminal appeals in the Jharkhand High Court based on the Registrar General's affidavit.
• The Court noted that the case was transferred between courts five times in the 11 years following the framing of charges.
• The Court highlighted that while the accused was absconding for 6 years, there was no explanation provided for the 12 years it took to complete the trial after charges were framed in 1991.