SC-RACIAL DISCRIMINATION - Racial discrimination: SC asks Delhi HC chief justice to ensure time-bound trial of cases

New Delhi: Supreme Court on Wednesday requested the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court to take a holistic policy decision to ensure a productive timeline for the adjudication of sensitive cases like those relating to racial discrimination against people from the north-east.

While hearing a plea seeking a time-bound trial in cases of racial discrimination against people from the north-east, a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant observed that such matters require prioritisation and out-of-turn adjudication.

The counsel said the trial takes a long time even in cases where investigations were complete and chargesheets were filed.

While hearing a separate plea on Feb 18, the top court said identifying persons on grounds of race, region, sex and caste would amount to treading a regressive path.

It refused to entertain a PIL seeking to prevent discrimination and violence against citizens from the north-east and other regions.

The bench had then asked Attorney General R Venkataramani to consider and refer the PIL to an appropriate authority. PTI