New Delhi, August 25 : The Supreme Court has strongly criticised the prolonged judicial proceedings in a 1981 double-murder case from Jharkhand, describing the nearly 45-year-long litigation as a “failure of the judicial system.” The court also suspended the life sentence of 70-year-old convict Simon Soren and ordered his immediate release, subject to conditions.
A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran expressed serious concern over the extraordinary delay in both the trial and the subsequent appeal before the Jharkhand High Court.
22 Years for Trial, Another 22 for Appeal
The double-murder case dates back to October 18, 1981, when two members of the Mandal family were allegedly killed in Dumka district.
Six people were initially named as accused. Charges were eventually framed in 1991, while the trial concluded with convictions in 2002. The appeal against the conviction remained pending before the Jharkhand High Court for more than two decades and was finally dismissed in October 2024.
The Supreme Court noted that two of the accused died before charges were framed, while three of the four convicted accused died during the pendency of the appeal. Simon Soren, now around 70, is the only surviving accused.
SC Questions Judicial Delay
The Supreme Court questioned why it took 12 years after the framing of charges in 1991 for the trial to conclude. The court also noted that the case was transferred between different courts five times during the 11 years following the framing of charges.
While the authorities cited the accused remaining absconding for six years as one reason for the delay, the court said there was no satisfactory explanation for the remaining period.
The bench also referred to the “shocking pendency” of criminal appeals before the Jharkhand High Court and sought a comprehensive explanation for the prolonged delay.
Sentence Suspended, 70-Year-Old Released
Despite acknowledging the seriousness of the double murder, the Supreme Court said it could not ignore the ordeal suffered by the accused over nearly 45 years.
Soren has spent a total of two years, four months and 12 days in custody and is suffering from multiple health problems. The court noted that he was undergoing treatment in a hospital while in custody. Taking his age, medical condition and prolonged litigation into account, the bench suspended his sentence and ordered his release on personal surety.
Supreme Court Seeks Original Records
The court has directed the Jharkhand High Court and the trial court to send the original case records in both physical and digital form within four weeks.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 18, 2026. The Supreme Court has also permitted the Union government to be impleaded in the proceedings in view of its concern over the broader issue of pending criminal appeals.
The case has once again highlighted the serious consequences of judicial delay, raising questions about the timely disposal of criminal trials and appeals and the need to strengthen the justice delivery system.
