The Supreme Court affirmed that the right to a speedy investigation is a fundamental right, stating that accused individuals cannot face endless suffering under the threat of ongoing probes. While not setting strict timelines, the court emphasized that inordinate delays can lead to the quashing of cases, benefiting the accused, victim, and society. NEW DELHI: “The accused cannot be made to suffer endlessly with this threat of continuing investigation,” the Supreme Court said, holding that the right to speedy investigation is also part of fundamental rights. The court said it will benefit the accused, the victim, and society if the investigation and trial are done quickly and completed within a reasonable time. Though it refrained from framing any timeline for completion of probe, which it said was not practical and feasible, a bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and N Kotiswar Singh said that an accused could approach courts for quashing of a case for inordinate delay in the probe. The court noted that there had unfortunately been many cases in which there was massive delay in filing chargesheet/taking cognisance etc. It said the right to speedy trial is an important facet of Article 21 (fundamental right to life). “Timely completion of investigation is inherent thereto,” it said.Right to speedy trial covers all stages: SC The bench said the court has repeatedly underscored the necessity of speedy investigation and trial but for various reasons this is still not a reality. It said the right to speedy trial covers all the stages – investigation, inquiry, trial, appeal, revision and re-trial – and shouldn’t be seen narrowly.”The accused cannot be made to suffer endlessly with this threat of continuing investigation and eventual trial proceedings bearing over their everyday existence,” the bench said and added that the apex court in its various rulings hold unequivocally that investigation is covered under the right to speedy trial and that violation of this right can strike at the root of the investigation itself, leading it to be quashed.”At the same time, it must be said that timelines cannot be set in stone for an investigation to be completed nor can outer limit be prescribed within which necessarily, an investigation must be drawn to a close. This is evidenced by the fact that further investigation or rather permission therefore, can be granted even after commencement of trial,” it said.Supreme Court said the process of investigation has many moving parts and is therefore impractical to have strict timelines in place but emphasised that investigations cannot continue endlessly.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTejas Crash: IAF Pilot Killed In Dubai Crash Identified As Wing Commander Namansh SyalDefence Experts Break Down Possible Causes Behind Tejas Fighter Jet Crash In DubaiPM Modi Gets Rousing Welcome From Indian Diaspora In Johannesburg Ahead Of G20 Summit | South Africa’‘I Am A Hindu’: Shashi Tharoor Evokes Swami Vivekananda To Tell The World What Hinduism Stands ForAmit Shah Says BSF Crushed 118 Pak Posts, He Issues Tough Security Message From Sindoor Van In KutchEx-CIA Reveals Savage Reply To Imran Khan’s PTI After Apology Demand Over His India-Pak War Analysis’All 140 MLAs Are Mine’: DK Shivakumar Amid Karnataka CM Speculation; Siddaramaiah RespondsKabul Turns To India As New Trade Partner Amid Pak Blockades And Push For Fresh Regional CorridorsTejas Crashes In Dubai Air Show Display As Massive Fireball Sparks Panic, Pilot Succumbs To InjuriesDeadly 5.5 Earthquake Rocks Bangladesh, Killing At Least Six, Triggers Widespread Panic Across Dhaka123PhotostoriesWhy Chunky Panday remains a cult favourite with timeless comic charmCan the 10-3-2-1 rule improve your sleep? Here’s what science says‘120 Bahadur’ star Raashii Khanna’s promotional looksWhat causes high uric acid levels, early symptoms and how to bring it down naturally with science backed tipsTop Harvard doctor reveals the right time to eat these 7 nuts to gain maximum benefitsVegetarian Thanksgiving: 4 mains that taste better than the Turkey10 dhaba-style Paneer dishes to try at home this weekendRekha to Kriti Sanon: Trending celebrity style highlights of the dayFrom Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ to Salman Khan’s ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’: A look at classic Bollywood films through the modern lensWhy Sadhguru recommends having Beetroot and Cardamom Soup during winter evenings123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayBihar Minister List 2025Bihar CM Oath CeremonyGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingBest Rockstar Games to Play for GTA 6Savannah JamesWayne GretzkysTrevon DiggsDelhi School Suicide CaseKolkata EarthquakeCandace OwensGavin BrindleySophie CunninghamMLB Trade Rumors
NEW DELHI: “The accused cannot be made to suffer endlessly with this threat of continuing investigation,” the Supreme Court said, holding that the right to speedy investigation is also part of fundamental rights. The court said it will benefit the accused, the victim, and society if the investigation and trial are done quickly and completed within a reasonable time. Though it refrained from framing any timeline for completion of probe, which it said was not practical and feasible, a bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and N Kotiswar Singh said that an accused could approach courts for quashing of a case for inordinate delay in the probe. The court noted that there had unfortunately been many cases in which there was massive delay in filing chargesheet/taking cognisance etc. It said the right to speedy trial is an important facet of Article 21 (fundamental right to life). “Timely completion of investigation is inherent thereto,” it said.
Right to speedy trial covers all stages: SC The bench said the court has repeatedly underscored the necessity of speedy investigation and trial but for various reasons this is still not a reality. It said the right to speedy trial covers all the stages – investigation, inquiry, trial, appeal, revision and re-trial – and shouldn’t be seen narrowly.“The accused cannot be made to suffer endlessly with this threat of continuing investigation and eventual trial proceedings bearing over their everyday existence,” the bench said and added that the apex court in its various rulings hold unequivocally that investigation is covered under the right to speedy trial and that violation of this right can strike at the root of the investigation itself, leading it to be quashed.“At the same time, it must be said that timelines cannot be set in stone for an investigation to be completed nor can outer limit be prescribed within which necessarily, an investigation must be drawn to a close. This is evidenced by the fact that further investigation or rather permission therefore, can be granted even after commencement of trial,” it said.Supreme Court said the process of investigation has many moving parts and is therefore impractical to have strict timelines in place but emphasised that investigations cannot continue endlessly.
