Early hearing of criminal leave petitions allowed despite record volume and Covid-19 objections, to conclude part-heard matters.

Applications for early hearing of criminal leave petitions were allowed because the Court considered the part-heard stage, the need to avoid wastage of judicial time, and the desirability of concluding part-heard matters before a change of Bench. Objections based on Covid-19, the volume of the record, and alleged lack of urgency were rejected, as pendency and complexity of the record were not treated as reasons to delay an expeditious hearing. The Court also noted that the parties would receive a fair and effective opportunity of hearing.

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Issues: Whether the applications seeking early hearing of the criminal leave petitions should be allowed.

Analysis: The applications were considered in the context of the existing part-heard stage of one leave petition, the need to avoid wastage of judicial time, and the desirability of concluding part-heard matters before a change of Bench. The Court also addressed objections based on the Covid-19 situation, the volume of the record, and the claim that the matters were not urgent. It held that the pendency and complexity of the record should not prevent an expeditious hearing, and that the parties would be given a fair and effective opportunity of hearing.

Conclusion: The applications for early hearing were allowed.

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