Right to Appeal Against Conviction is Fundamental; Delay Must Be Examined: Supreme Court

In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India has declared that the right to appeal against a conviction is a fundamental right under the Constitution. The court emphasized that such appeals cannot be dismissed merely on grounds of delay without examining the reasons for the delay.

A bench led by Justice S. Ravindra Bhat observed that the right to appeal is an integral part of the judicial process, ensuring access to justice and the protection of fundamental rights. The court noted that procedural delays or lapses should not obstruct an individual's opportunity to contest a conviction, especially in cases involving deprivation of liberty.

The judgment came in response to a plea where an appeal had been dismissed by a lower court solely due to procedural delays. The apex court criticized the mechanical rejection of such appeals and directed that the reasons for the delay must be evaluated on merit before dismissing any case.

“An appellate court must first consider the explanation for the delay before rejecting an appeal outright. The right to appeal is intrinsic to the principles of natural justice and fair trial,” the bench stated in its order.

The court further clarified that this ruling is not intended to encourage laxity in filing appeals but aims to safeguard the rights of individuals against arbitrary dismissals. It urged courts to adopt a balanced approach, ensuring that justice is not compromised due to rigid procedural formalities.

Legal experts have hailed the ruling as a progressive step toward strengthening access to justice and upholding the constitutional guarantees of fair trial and legal redressal. This judgment reiterates the judiciary's commitment to protecting individual liberties and ensuring accountability in the judicial process.

The ruling is expected to have far-reaching implications, particularly in cases involving marginalized communities and undertrial prisoners, who often face barriers in accessing timely legal remedies.

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