15-yr battle: HC commutes convict’s sentence to 15 days
Times of India | 20 March 2026
Kolkata: Observing that the "sword of litigation" hanging over a convict's head for nearly 15 years itself amounts to a form of punishment, the Calcutta High Court reduced the one-year sentence of a man from Joypur — convicted of assaulting a woman — to 15 days, already undergone, while enhancing the fine from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000.
Justice Prasenjit Biswas held Palas Dolui alias Tanai guilty of grievously injuring a woman during a neighbourhood dispute in June 2008. However, the judge noted that his appeal against the 2010 conviction had remained pending for nearly 15 years. Dolui had already spent 15 days in custody — he was arrested on July 29, 2008, and granted bail on Aug 12, 2008.
"The concept of justice is not confined merely to the imposition of punishment but extends to ensuring fairness, reasonableness and timeliness in the administration of criminal justice," the court observed.
The HC noted the right to a speedy trial as an integral and inseparable facet of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. "Any undue and unexplained delay in the disposal of criminal proceedings, particularly when such delay is not attributable to the accused, amounts to a violation of this fundamental right," the court held. The judge also said, during the time he was on bail, he did not indulge in any criminal activity or misuse the liberty.