In a recent matter before the Delhi High Court, I had the privilege of representing the petitioner in W.P.(CRL) 1495/2024 – Suday Shankar Jha v. State of NCT of Delhi. The case highlights an important issue of delay in criminal investigations, where despite the registration of an FIR on 19 February 2020 concerning execution of a sale deed in Najafgarh, the Investigating Officer had failed to file the charge sheet even after four years.

Faced with this inordinate delay, we approached the Hon’ble High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution read with Section 482 CrPC, seeking judicial intervention for expeditious action. Upon notice, the learned ASC for the State, on instructions from the Investigating Officer, submitted that the investigation was at the final stage and assured the Court that the charge sheet would be filed within eight weeks. The Court recorded this assurance and disposed of the petition while granting liberty to the petitioner to approach again in case of any further grievance.