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Stay on trial will be valid only for six months: SC
Context
An indefinite freeze on corruption and criminal trials granted by constitutional courts, especially High Courts in the cases of the rich and powerful, have often led to delay and denial of the fundamental right to speedy justice, the Supreme Court has observed
What has happened?
The Supreme Court has held that any stay of a criminal or corruption trial, or even a civil case, will be valid only for six months
- Even if a stay is granted for six months, the trial court should fix a date for the trial to commence immediately after the expiry of the stay. Trial proceedings will, by default, begin after the period of stay is over
Extension can be given
The order to stay trial will be extended after six months only in “exceptional cases” and that too in a judicial order which fully explains the reasons for the extension
