IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA Cr.Misc. No.35971 of 2009 SANJIT SINGH S/O LATE KISHUN SINGH, VILL- KOCHGAW,P.S-WARSALIGANJ,DISTT-NALANDA Versus THE STATE OF BIHAR ----------- 2. 29.10.2009 Heard Mr. Partha Sarthy, learned counsel for the petitioner and the counsel for the State. Considering the nature of allegation and the complicity of large number of accused persons, none of whom have been granted bail by this Court as would appear from the computerized report annexed with this application, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner for the present. Mr. Partha Sarthy informs that the trial of the petitioner has already commenced in December, 2007 but in a space of almost two years only nine witnesses have been examined and that too in the last six months or so not a single witness has been examined. He accordingly apprehends that the conclusion of the trial may itself take another five years, inasmuch as there are 30-35 witnesses who are to be examined in this case. 2 True it is that this Court has not granted bail to any co-accused but then that should not be taken to be premium for the prosecution to keep each and every accused under custody for an indefinite period. The trial having been commenced in December, 2007 ought to have concluded by-now especially when the Code of Criminal Procedure envisages the sessions trial to be conducted on day to day basis. Considering the fact that there are large number of witnesses to be examined, this Court would, therefore, fix a firm time limit of one year from the date of receipt/ production of a copy of this order for concluding the trial. The trial court must take all possible recourse as prescribed in law for ensuring the appearance of the witnesses and their examination and such steps should not be left for its being taken in for a last month or last day for completing the rest of the trial. The trial court must ensure strict compliance of the aforesaid time limit fixed for concluding the trial and if necessary may also 3 rearrange the schedule of the trial in consultation with the Public Prosecutor and the Superintendent of Police so that the trial does come to an end within the aforementioned period. With the aforementioned observation and direction, this application is dismissed. (Mihir Kumar Jha,J.) Surendra/