HC terms situation 'alarming' over non-execution of 21K NBWs

Dismayed over pending execution of about 21,129 non-bailable warrants issued by criminal courts in 13 districts in the state, the Madras High Court has termed the situation "alarming" and directed the DGP to take immediate steps to execute the warrants at the earliest.

NBWs were pending for nearly 4 to 6 years, which has resulted in increasing number of pendency of criminal cases before the courts concerned, the court said.

"Be that as it may, the situation is quite alarming, since it ultimately affects the disposal of cases by the criminal courts and adding to the pending case numbers.

If this situation is allowed to continue, the very object of rendering justice at the earliest possible time, would be defeated," Justice D Krishnakumar said.

When the matter came up recently, authorities produced a copy of a circular issued by the DGP deputing additional superintendent of each district to monitor and ensure execution of such pending NBWs at the earliest.

The officers have been instructed to submit reports on weekly basis which would be forwarded to the DGP, the additional advocate general said.

Recording the submissions, the judge directed the DGP to submit a consolidated report on or before second week of September with details of number of NBWs executed, number of NBWs pending execution and the reason therefor along with the steps taken for execution.

Earlier, when the court sought details of NBWs pending execution from principal districts concerned and superintendents concerned, both filed two separate reports with conflicting figures.

In districts like Dindigul the difference was 2000.

As per the judges report there are 2738 pending NBWs, while the report filed by the SP claimed that only 732 are pending.