https://www.taxtmi.com/caselaws?id=305368 Meaningful legal aid is an essential component of a fair, reasonable and just criminal procedure under Article 21, particularly where capital punishment is possible. Appointment of counsel on the day charges are framed, followed by an accelerated trial, may deny adequate time to examine records, consult the accused and prepare the defence, including on expert evidence. Such formal rather than effective representation creates a serious fair-trial defect capable of vitiating conviction and sentence. The stated consequence was that the findings of guilt and sentence could not stand, with de novo consideration directed while merits remained open. 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 Meaningful legal aid is an essential component of a fair, reasonable and just criminal procedure under Article 21, particularly where capital punishment is possible. Appointment of counsel on the day charges are framed, followed by an accelerated trial, may deny adequate time to examine records, consult the accused and prepare the defence, including on expert evidence. Such formal rather than effective representation creates a serious fair-trial defect capable of vitiating conviction and sentence. The stated consequence was that the findings of guilt and sentence could not stand, with de novo consideration directed while merits remained open. Case-Laws Indian Laws Wed, 18 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0530 https://www.taxtmi.com/caselaws?id=305368