Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has called for urgent judicial reforms to ensure faster resolution of cases involving crimes against women and children. Addressing a gathering in Cachar on December 1, Sarma underscored the need for streamlined investigations and expedited trials in such sensitive cases.
“Criminal investigations must be completed within two months, and trials should conclude within a year to uphold democracy and ensure justice,” Sarma said. He highlighted growing public frustration with delays in the judicial process, which often leads victims to seek immediate intervention from law enforcement instead of relying on courts. The Chief Minister urged lawyers and the judiciary to take collective responsibility for delivering justice efficiently. “No guilty individual, especially in heinous crimes like rape, should go unpunished, and no innocent person should face wrongful prosecution,” he asserted.
Sarma specifically appealed to advocates in Assam to avoid unnecessary adjournments in sensitive cases, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing swift resolutions. He noted that timely justice serves as a deterrent and reinforces public confidence in the judicial system. Commending the district judiciary’s handling of POCSO cases, Sarma stressed that while outcomes are important, the speed and fairness of the process send a powerful message to society. “Swift justice is the cornerstone of a fair society,” he said.