SC Slams Maharashtra Govt Over Trial Delays: 'Will Expose You In Public'

The Supreme Court on Tuesday pulled up the Maharashtra government for what it called 'excessive' delays in the trial of a foreign national, warning that it would publicly expose the state if it continued to oppose bail and slow down proceedings.

A bench of Justices [Name1] and [Name2] expressed strong displeasure over the state's handling of the case, noting that the trial had been pending for an unusually long time. The court said it would not hesitate to name the responsible officials in open court if the delays persisted.

The bench was hearing a plea by the foreign national, who has been in custody for several years. The court observed that the state's repeated opposition to bail and its failure to expedite the trial were contributing to the prolonged detention, which it said was a violation of the individual's fundamental rights.

The court directed the Maharashtra government to file a status report on the trial's progress and set a deadline for its completion. It also warned that if the state did not comply, it would be 'exposed' in public, a remark that drew sharp attention in the courtroom.

The matter has been posted for further hearing in two weeks, with the court making clear that it expects tangible progress by then.