1 SNS IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MUMBAI APPELLATE CRIMINAL JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO.213 OF 2011 Sitaram Dada Sarode ...Applicant. v. The State of Maharashtra ...Respondents. Ms P.P.Shinde, APP For the Respondent/State. CORAM : J.H. BHATIA, J. DATED : FEBRUARY 18, 2011. P.C. 1 Applicant seeks to be released on bail in Sessions Case No. 816 of 2008 arising out of crime no.404 of 2008 registered at Chaturshrungi police station, Pune. Accused/applicant is in custody since 31st August, 2008 as he was arrested immediately after the registration of the offence. It appears that after investigation, charge-sheet was filed and the case was promptly committed to the Court of Sessions. On 13.1.2009 charges were framed against the accused. More than two years period has lapsed but the trial has not come to an end. The learned APP on instructions states that so far 3 witnesses have been examined but she is not aware when those witnesses were examined and when remaining witnesses will be called for recording evidence. 2 Trial of the Sessions Cases is expected to be taken day-to- 2 day till the end unless, of course, there are valid reasons to adjourn the case beyond next day. However, it seems that the learned Additional Sessions Judges do not take up the trial of such cases day to day and sessions cases are also adjourned frequently and without any valid reasons and the result is that accused persons are required to remain in jail for a long time as undertrial prisoners. This is observed not only in this case but in number of cases arising out of almost every district and particularly from Pune, Thane, Nashik, Ahmednagar Districts. It is difficult to understand why after framing of the charges, trial of this case could not be concluded for more than two years. Taking into consideration the gravity of the offence, it will not be desirable to grant bail to the accused but it will be necessary to direct the trial Court to expedite the trial and dispose off the same at the earliest. 3 For the aforesaid reasons while application for bail is rejected, the concerned Additional Sessions Judge, Pune is hereby directed to expedite the trial of the Sessions Case No.816 of 2008 and dispose off the same by the end of April, 2011 without fail. 4 The Sessions Judge, Pune shall personally look into all the matters wherein accused persons are in custody and see that undertrial cases are taken up on priority and they are disposed off expeditiously. 3 5 Similar instructions need to be given to all the Sessions Judges in the State. Registrar (Judicial) shall place this before the Hon’ble The Chief Justice for appropriate directions to be given to all the Sessions Courts. (J.H. BHATIA,J.)