Supreme Court Issues Key Guidelines to High Courts on Judgment Delays

The Supreme Court of India has issued a comprehensive set of guidelines to all High Courts aimed at reducing delays in the delivery of judgments and ensuring faster access to justice. The apex court directed that judgments reserved by courts should ordinarily be pronounced within three months. In matters related to bail, courts have been advised to hear and dispose of applications on the same day whenever possible. If a bail order is reserved, it should ideally be pronounced on the following day.

The Supreme Court further emphasized transparency and accountability in the judicial process. It directed that reasoned judgments pronounced in open court should be uploaded to the respective High Court websites within 24 hours. If a reserved judgment remains pending beyond three months, the matter should be brought to the attention of the concerned Chief Justice of the High Court. The court also instructed that orders granting bail or suspending sentences be communicated immediately to the competent authorities so that eligible individuals can be released from custody without unnecessary delay.