https://www.taxtmi.com/caselaws?id=305368 Free legal aid is part of the Article 21 guarantee of a fair, reasonable and just procedure, and a mere same-day appointment of counsel does not satisfy that standard. Meaningful assistance requires time to study the record, consult the accused and prepare the defence. On the facts noted, counsel was appointed on the day charges were framed, the trial moved forward at exceptional speed, and expert evidence was concluded hastily. Because the case involved the possibility of death sentence, the procedure was treated as a serious infirmity that denied a real opportunity of defence. The conviction and sentence were set aside and the matter was remitted for fresh consideration in accordance with law. en-us Wed, 18 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0530 Thu, 01 Dec 2022 06:11:02 +0530 TaxTMI RSS Generator https://www.taxtmi.com/caselaws?id=305368 Free legal aid is part of the Article 21 guarantee of a fair, reasonable and just procedure, and a mere same-day appointment of counsel does not satisfy that standard. Meaningful assistance requires time to study the record, consult the accused and prepare the defence. On the facts noted, counsel was appointed on the day charges were framed, the trial moved forward at exceptional speed, and expert evidence was concluded hastily. Because the case involved the possibility of death sentence, the procedure was treated as a serious infirmity that denied a real opportunity of defence. The conviction and sentence were set aside and the matter was remitted for fresh consideration in accordance with law. Case-Laws Indian Laws Wed, 18 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0530 https://www.taxtmi.com/caselaws?id=305368