New Delhi: Pulling up a West Bengal trial court for routine adjournments in a 2021 rape case, the Supreme Court has formulated a set of seven guidelines for speedy trials, observing that criminal trials cannot drag on indefinitely or be conducted in bits and pieces.

It has suggested that all high courts issue these guidelines to district judges and set up committees to look into the practice of regular adjournments.

The seven points formulated by the Supreme Court for trials to be held on a day-to-day basis, in order to deliver speedy justice, are: Witnesses must be examined on a day-to-day basis, and adjournments cannot be granted for an advocate’s convenience, except in rare situations. If lawyers attempt to stall proceedings, courts can cancel bail, appoint an amicus curiae (“friend

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