Criminal Misc. No.M-21187 of 2008 -1- **** IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Criminal Misc. No.M-21187 of 2008 Date of decision : 26.9.2008 Jaswinder Kaur alias Kirna .....Petitioner Versus State of Punjab ...Respondent **** CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S. D. ANAND Present: Mr. R.K.Gupta,Advocate for the petitioner. Ms. Manjari Nehru, Deputy Advocate General, Punjab S. D. ANAND, J. The petitioner is an under trial in case FIR No. 268 dated 22.8.2007 under Sections 302, 438, 149 IPC, Police Station, Baghapurana. There is force in the plea on behalf of the petitioner that the trial at the hands of learned Trial Courts appears to have been inordinately delayed. At the same time, the delay in the context is not of that proportion which would justify the release of the petitioner on bail just on that account only, The petitioner, however, has a locus standi to clamour for an expeditious trial which the Court must afford to him. The petition shall stand disposed of with a direction to the learned Trial Court to record whatever evidence is available on 6.11.2008. The prosecution shall take steps to ensure that the maximum number of witnesses are produced and examined on 6.11.2008. If for any valid reason, the conclusion of the prosecution evidence is not feasible on that Criminal Misc. No.M-21187 of 2008 -2- **** date, the adjournment granted thereafter shall not exceed two days at a time. Learned Trial Court is directed to dispose of the trial itself by 31.12.2008.If the learned Trial Court finds that the defence is causing avoidable delay, or is obstructing the conclusion of trial in any other manner, it shall notify the facts to this Court for further orders in the relevant behalf. Disposed of accordingly. September 26, 2008 (S. D. ANAND) Pka JUDGE Note: Whether to be referred to Reporter: Yes/No